Save the RAH Committee appoint Board in Exile

Save the RAH committee has appointed a Board-in-exile for the Royal Adelaide Hospital. It includes prominent South Australians Robert Gerard, Jeremy Cordeaux, Dr. Tim Cooper, Michael Angelakis, Glenelg mayor Dr. Ken Rollond and former federal member for Adelaide Trish Worth, and will be chaired by former state AMA president and RAH medical staff chairman Dr. Philip Harding.

Dr. Harding said that the board's mission was to draw attention to the depth and breadth of concern in the community over the government's plan to demolish the RAH and relocate it at the railway yard site.

The former RAH Board of Management was dissolved in 2004 as part of a State Government move to remove self-governance from health institutions and bring them under central bureaucratic control.

"The Board does not want this to be a political issue", said Dr. Harding. "We do not want the fate of the RAH decided by the next election. Our wish is that the government would come to its senses and realise that it already has a 21st-century hospital, certainly in need of upgraded patient accommodation but already in the best possible location. Its demolition and relocation 2 km away is against the best interests of the institution’s research and teaching functions, is unnecessary, and a huge waste of public funds".

Dr. Harding pointed out that the rebuilding and upgrading of the RAH on its present site was already part completed and was still going on at substantial expense. "What is needed is to finish the job", he said. "The role of the Board is to speak for the RAH, which is otherwise voiceless, and draw attention to these matters".

For further information contact Save the RAH committee (Dr. Jim Katsaros, telephone 0418 835 005), or visit www.saverah.com.au.