Australian local hospital move in mere "points scoring"
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Australia's commonwealth government will immediately invest more than Aus$1m (US$905,000) to upgrade equipment at a failing privately-run public hospital in Tasmania. From November 1 the government will also take over the running of the Mersey Community Hospital at an annual cost of Aus$45m until a Community Trust is set up to govern the facility. The measures are reportedly exceptional, but the government says it may repeat the action wherever similar situations occur. An intensive care unit is to be installed; and priority equipment to be purchased includes laparoscopic imaging equipment, operating microscopes, a steriliser and electro-surgical generators.