The region’s only private hospital will close its doors this Friday, June 29, citing falling patient volumes and ageing equipment as affecting its viability.

A spokesperson for the Southern NSW Local Health District said, where appropriate, private hospital staff would be offered casual employment at the SERH, with applications for permanent roles invited through the normal channels.

A way to accommodate private patients already booked through to September is also being looked into.

Following news of the closure, Labor health spokesman Walt Secord said the resulting impact on “an already overstretched” SERH is because “for too long, Andrew Constance has ignored the problems facing patients on the Far South Coast”.

“This is the last thing that South East Regional Hospital needs. Waits for elective surgery will only grow.”

Now Member for Bega Andrew Constance has called on Mr Secord to resign for his “attack on local doctors, nurses and health staff”.

“It’s disgusting that Mr Secord is claiming that the South East Hospital is one of the worst in the state and that their local Labor candidate is claiming patients are ‘suffering’,” Mr Constance said.

“It is an outrageous slur against the professionalism of the nurses, doctors and health staff who are working tirelessly to deliver for the community.

“To try and make political advantage against the closure of a private hospital in Bega, where staff and patients face uncertainty is just sick – talk about political desperation.

Mr Constance said Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes was in full support of the Local Health District’s actions in light of the private hospital closure, indicating how “out of line” Labor is with its attack.

“As soon as we found out about the impending closure of the Bega Private Hospital, the HSU contacted the Southern LHD to see what could be done,” Mr Hayes said in a recent statement.

“The CEO of the Southern LHD, Andrew Newton, immediately stepped in to offer assistance to patients and staff affected by the closure.”

Mr Constance said, as the Bega Valley Private Hospital was a day surgery facility, any patients transferring over were not expected to place undue strain on the public health system.

“I commend Andrew Newton and the HSU Secretary for stepping up for the good of patients and staff affected by this closure and working together to achieve a positive outcome.

“While we are supporting our fantastic local staff and patients, all Labor can do is again scaremonger our community with false claims and lies.”