So far he's reduced the number of ward beds available and cut nursing shift numbers on the pretext of holding back beds for future disasters, epidemics etc., is selling off Maclean land which will be needed for further district hospital growth and now according to the Tweed Daily News is alleged to have also done the following:
"Mr Ross claims $20,000 remaining in a Special Purpose Trust (SPT) is unable to be accessed to finish off work on an outdoor coffee shop area.
The money, raised over four years by the Murwillumbah Central Rotary Club, totalled $35,000 at its peak and was raised specifically for the renovation at the Murwillumbah District Hospital.
The remaining $20,000 was to be spent on a roof over decking built with the coffee shop, but has been made inaccessible by the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS), according to Mr Ross.
A further $213,000 from the sale of a property, previously owned by the hospital and used for sterilisation, has not made its way back to the hospital, according the hospital advocate.
NCAHS and NSW Health would not comment on the issue yesterday.
"The SPT was set up specifically for the coffee shop area and by law cannot be distributed or used for any purpose other than that designed," Mr Ross said.
"It is a grave concern to us the money we raised for the projects cannot be accessed now."
Mr Ross said the money obtained from the sale of the property should have gone back into the hospital.
"We believe NCAHS took it without the consent of the hospital," Mr Ross said.
Mr Ross said the NCAHS claims it spent money on upgrading air-conditioning at the hospital.
"They have not done that," Mr Ross said.
A letter sent as a response to Mr Ross earlier this year from the office of former New South Wales Health Minister Reba Meagher said the money was spent on the hospital.
"The proceeds of the sale were to upgrade the air-conditioning plant at Murwillumbah District Hospital at a cost of $50,000," the letter said.
Plans to spend $176,000 on palliative care beds were not successful because NCAHS could not secure a specialist.
Mr Ross said it was all false.
"Ask the cleaners if the air-conditioning is working. You do not have to go to the top to get the correct answer," Mr Ross said.
"Enough is enough. Give the hospital back its money and allow the Rotary Club to finish off the wonderful coffee shop and decking area."
When will the Rudd Government take control of the health system and free the North Coast from these petty tyrannies?
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