INDEPENDENT candidate for Flinders Ben Smith has launched a petition demanding that the federal and state governments commit to saving and upgrading Rosebud Hospital.
“The Rosebud Hospital is the only public hospital serving the entire peninsula, and it’s literally falling apart while both major parties have failed to secure the funding we desperately need,” Smith said. “For our growing community of young families and seniors, having a properly funded local hospital isn’t just about convenience – it’s about saving lives when every minute counts. “This is just another example of how the residents of the peninsula are overlooked. We may be in sight of Melbourne, but we are out of sight as far as the major parties are concerned.”
Local GP Dr Jack Knobel has echoed the urgent need for investment, stating: “Rosebud Hospital was built in 1961 and, among other things, requires refurbishing. “Funding is needed to improve the emergency department and provide more consultants, nursing staff, and beds. Patients often need to be transferred to Frankston Hospital due to a lack of these services and facilities.”
The petition declares that:
“Rosebud Hospital is in crisis. Without urgent investment, this vital lifeline for the Mornington Peninsula could close, leaving our community stranded without nearby emergency care.”
The petition calls for urgent investment to ensure the hospital remains operational, investment in the emergency department to ensure it’s available to locals and extending the Frankston Medical Research and Education Precinct to Rosebud to provide local access to cutting edge medical research, education and specialised care.
The petition can be accessed at www.smithforflinders.com.au/save_rosebud_hospital
First published in the Mornington News – 4 February 2025
