“Turn up and make your own mind up.”

This is the message from health union representatives who plan to hold a rally outside Bowral and District Hospital.

They claim a public-private partnership (PPP) at the hospital would result in the ‘Americanisation’ of the health system.

Unions NSW representative Mary Yaager said the community and staff had been receiving mixed messages.

“[At this rally] people will find out what’s at stake,” she said.

“They’ll hear what a PPP means for the community, how it will effect the amount of beds, all that detail.”

She said a PPP meant the hospital would be given over to the private operator, who would run the hospital for a profit.

Health Services Union representative Peter Mason said they were also concerned about how a PPP would effect wages and awards of staff.

“Labour is usually the biggest cost, so they could cut staff,” he said.

“They wouldn’t be protected by union conditions, private operations come under an EBA [enterprise bargaining agreement].

“From the association’s perspective, nurse-to-patient ratios exist under the award, and there is no such thing in private hospital.”

Union representatives will also be present at Highlands Hub in Mittagong on October 29 with a petition for community members to sign.

The protest will take place on October 30 at 2.45pm, where participants will assemble in front of the hospital on Mona Road, Bowral.

They will then march to Glebe Park to commence the rally at 3.00pm.