Bowral and District Hospital will still benefit from $50 million of funding whether or not a proposed partnership goes ahead.

Ramsay Health, which runs Southern Highlands Private Hospital, submitted an expression of interest (EOI) for a public-private partnership (PPP) with Bowral Hospital. 

Health Infrastructure representatives said funding would be guaranteed regardless of the negotiation outcome.

However, community concerns about a lack of consultation throughout the process remain.

Health Infrastructure representatives met with about 70 hospital staff on October 26 to explain the EOI – but rather than being open to the general public, only members of the hospital’s Consumer and Community Participation (CCP) Unit were invited to attend.

South West Sydney Local Health District CEO Amanda Larkin said all members of the community were able to join the group. “We want to give the community the greatest opportunity to be heard,” she said.

“Does consultation touch everyone in the community? Probably not, but the community has the chance to be part of the CCP Unit, it’s an open group.”

She said although negotiations were underway with Ramsay Health, the ultimate outcome would depend on the viability of a partnership. “If needs cannot be met, we will not progress with negotiations,” she said.

Key industry representatives have focused on the hospital’s need to provide crucial services to public patients. Health Infrastructure senior project director Steve Hall said the PPP would not result in the full outsourcing or privatisation of the hospital. “This is not a takeover,” he said.

Mr Hall said $3 million of the funding had been spent on developing a clinical services plan for the hospital, which would continue whether or not a partnership goes ahead.

Ms Larkin said SWSLHD was planning information booths for community members to have one-on-one contact to raise their concerns.

For information about the CCP Unit: swslhd.nsw.gov.au/ccp/about.html.