Tweed Valley Hospital opens in five days

By Sarah Waters

The new Tweed Valley Hospital at 771 Cudgen Road, Cudgen will open to patients at 8am next Tuesday, May 14.

On the same day the Tweed Valley Hospital opens to patients, The Tweed Hospital at Powell Street, Tweed Heads, will close.

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Anyone requiring emergency medical care from next Tuesday onwards should present to Tweed Valley Hospital.

All inpatients at The Tweed Hospital will be transferred to the new hospital.

This process is expected to take a full day, and is being coordinated in partnership with NSW Ambulance, NSW Police, Transport for NSW and Tweed Shire Council.

Hospital staff will liaise directly with affected patients and their families or carers.

A community health service providing a range of clinics and community outreach services, as well as the existing BreastScreen NSW service, will continue to be delivered at the Powell Street site in Tweed Heads.

However, there will be no emergency services or hospital inpatient services available at this location after Tuesday 14 May 2024.

Tweed Valley Hospital is located close to the M1 motorway and adjacent to Tweed Coast Road.

Emma Jane Davies and Sasha Harrington at the new Tweed Valley Hospital

The hospital is easily accessed by car and public transport.

If travelling by car, follow the M1 to Chinderah, and take the exit towards Cudgen/Kingscliff.

Continue on Tweed Coast Road and turn left at the intersection of Tweed Coast Road and Cudgen Road.

Drop off bays are located at the hospital’s three entrances – the main entrance, the emergency department and the east entrance.

Staff, patients and visitors will have access to over 1200 free on-site car parking spaces at the Tweed Valley Hospital.

There is long-term capacity for up to 1500 car spaces on the site.

Tweed Valley Hospital is located on a public transport route.

Bus stops are located on both sides of Cudgen Road, directly in front of the hospital, with a pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights.

Bus service provider Kinetic has the details of all bus routes – visit here to read the full announcement from Kinetic.

For any questions, please contact Kinetic Customer Experience Team directly at info@wearekinetic.com or (07) 5552 2700.

A taxi rank is also located at the main entry to the Hospital.

The hospital connects with established pedestrian and cycle routes in the area.

For more Tweed Shire news, click here.

Private Health Insurance Costs Under Scrutiny as Premiums and Profits Soar

Recent data analysis has spotlighted a concerning trend in the private health insurance sector, prompting a significant outcry for a comprehensive review. A surge in premiums has been linked not just to rising healthcare costs but also to an increase in insurer profits and management expenses, igniting a fierce debate between health professionals and insurance providers. Rising health insurance premiums

A study by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) reveals that while net insurance profits soared by over 50% from June 2019 to June 2023, patient rebates only saw a modest rise of 3.6%. This discrepancy raises questions about the allocation of premium dollars, suggesting that a substantial portion is diverted towards enhancing profit margins and covering operational costs, rather than directly benefiting policyholders through medical treatments or hospital care.

The findings have fuelled a dispute highlighted in a recent ABC Four Corners report, which accused some providers of overcharging for medical procedures, a claim refuted by the insurers but supported by insider revelations. The AMA has criticized the private health sector for not meeting the expected standards of financial management and transparency, suggesting that premiums are increasingly used to cover costs unrelated to patient care. Rising health insurance premiums

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In defence, industry representatives like Dr. Rachel David, CEO of Private Health Australia, argue that management expenses are rigorously monitored and justified, attributing rising costs to broader economic inflation affecting all sectors. However, this assertion does little to pacify concerns about the disproportionate growth in profits and administrative expenses compared to the relatively stagnant increase in patient benefits.

The debate extends to the efficiency of fund utilization, with the AMA advocating for insurers to return at least 90 cents per dollar of premiums to policyholders, a standard that currently stands at about 86 cents, significantly higher than general insurance returns but below the proposed benchmark.

Amidst these escalating tensions and conflicting reports, National Seniors Australia has called on the Federal Government to assign the Productivity Commission the task of conducting an in-depth inquiry. This investigation would scrutinize the continual rise in private health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, assess the value and scope of coverage, and propose necessary reforms to curtail costs and enhance service value, particularly for older Australians.

The proposed comprehensive review aims to halt the relentless cycle of premium hikes and restricted coverage that plagues policyholders, ensuring a fair, transparent, and efficient system that prioritizes patient care over profit. As stakeholders brace for a potential overhaul, the spotlight remains firmly on the need for a balanced and equitable approach to healthcare funding.

Supporters and concerned policyholders are encouraged to join the advocacy efforts by participating in National Seniors or contributing to the Health Costs campaign, as stakeholders push for a resolution that could redefine the landscape of private health insurance in Australia.

Time for action on a NSW Autism Strategy

STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin says she welcomes the Australian Government’s recent release of the Draft NSW Autism Strategy.

Ms Saffin says “it provides the State and Territory governments with the opportunity to engage with the Draft National Autism Strategy.

“We need a NSW Autism Strategy and I have had discussions with the relevant Minister in the Minns Labor Government, Kate Washington,” Ms Saffin says.

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“I raised the importance of an autism strategy in the NSW Parliament last year. South Australia is way ahead of us.  Now we have the Draft National Autism Strategy, we need to seize the momentum and get a New South Wales strategy to break down barriers for autistic children and adults and their families.”

President of the Northern Rivers Autism Association Micheal Lynch has teamed up with Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director Jane Laverty to co-host an Autism@Work business luncheon at the Ballina RSL Auditorium from noon today (Tuesday, 9 April).

The event, titled Embracing a Neurodiverse Workforce, celebrates Autism Awareness Month and guest speaker will be former dual-code international for rugby league and rugby union Mat Rogers.

Ms Saffin says she will be an apology as she is recovering from Covid.

“A panel of speakers for today’s event is sure to discuss the Draft National Autism Strategy,” Ms Saffin says.

“It is clear from the draft that the states and territories and Federal Government need to work together because the strategy covers polices across both levels of government.

“The states have primary responsibility for the key areas of education, health, justice and housing.

“It is the states that have responsibility for pre-schools for example, where children are at critical age for early intervention which can make a huge difference.

“This is an opportunity for National Cabinet to tackle the crossover of responsibilities and ensure that this is an effective, properly funded strategy without gaps for people to slip through.

“Being in a rural or regional area can add another layer of disadvantage, so it is important that people from this region give their feedback to the national strategy.”

For more information on the Draft National Autism Strategy and to give feedback, visit here.

For more health news, click here.