Bellinger Health Action Group News

Message from Gai Stern, Maxine Keys and Solveig Larson on behalf of Bellingen Hospital Action Group

Dear BHAG members

I’m writing to let you know about a couple of events being organised by two of our members. I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that the BHAG committee is currently working on a document to submit to the Health Reform Discussion Paper to clarify Bellingen’s positioning for the new health networks and that we are working towards becoming a mature negotiation partner on behalf of the community in this process. If you would like to know more, please contact Pia Dollmann at *bellohospitalrescue@gmail.com

Kind regards

Gai Stern

Secretary

*Craft day 17 July 2010*

We are having a craft display and some demonstrations at the Uniting Church on 17 July 2010 for the hospital – the same day as the market.

It will run from 9.00 am till 1.00 pm. Admittance will be $5 which will include morning tea. There will also be some craft will for sale and 20% of the profit will go to BHAG.

If anyone has things to sell, 20% will also go to BHAG. Also, if anyone wants to be involved or can help with cooking please contact Maxine Keys on 6655 0591 or Fay Gibson on 6655 1520.

regards, Maxine Keys (fundraising committee)

Rally 24 July 2010

*Dear BHAG and friends

On Saturday July 24th, Ridley Scott (renowned Director of films such as ”Blade Runner,” “Alien”, “Gladiator” and “Robin Hood)” is asking people around the world to film something in the day of their lives. In the light of our current situation with the Hospital’s future still uncertain and a federal election looming, it feels as though this is a good opportunity for us to gather together with the people of Bellingen and surrounding areas to demonstrate its unique spirit and unwavering support for our Hospital.

The film will be placed on Youtube with the possability of making it into a feature film which will subsequently be made of that day.The theme is that “People Matter” – that our health system is about people, not numbers, and that community consultation is imperative and that whichever side of politics takes the reins, this fact of involvement with doctors, nurses, practitioners, clinicians and patients needs to be embraced rather than ignored or passed over, as has been the case for so long.

It is intended that the meeting begin at 12 noon. If people could arrive earlier, well and good.. Speakers have been invited: politicians and doctors, to be followed by a march up the street with placards and visual displays that represent us as a vibrant, spirited, caring community who are not prepared to lie down and accept being ridden over roughshod by bureaucrats and systems that barely manage to use the words “patient care” in their overbearing, complex declarations of how our health system should be run.

Our theme I think reflects a wider view that is present in the world, that being about values, and the rights of people to be listened to by governments, and treated with respect, dignity and professionalism. Much of what we take for granted here in Bellingen is missing in many parts of the world. Here we have the privilege of a caring community with facilities and assistance that are generally accessible, a large part of which can be attributed to the existence of our unique and wonderful Hospital. However, the loss of our Hospital services and the demoralizing of medical people – nurses, doctors and related areas reflects a wider problem that is affecting our community, that of de-humanization, and lack of care. While we have still a beautiful, unique, varied and vibrant population, let us stand up for that Spirit for ourselves, our Hospital, and for people and Communities everywhere, and insist that we, the people, matter and need to be listened to.

So the invitation is there for everyone to attend Maam Gaduying (Council) Park at 12 Noon until about One O’clock to stand up for our Hospital, and the rights of individuals and communities everywhere.

Please make a placard, and get your children and teenagers to dress wild. You never know, we might make it into a feature film.

For information, email me at this address.. solveig.larsen@yahoo.com.au

<mailto:solveig.larsen@yahoo.com.au> or ring 6655 0511.

Regards, Solveig Larsen.