29 April 2011

Calvary beats Katy

| johnboy
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There’s been no media release from Ms Gallagher, but we understand she’s run up the white flag in her battles with Calvary hospital and North Canberra services will be augmented by expansion of the Catholic operated hospital in Bruce.

The Liberals Jeremy Hanson is very excited and points out this capitulation has come at a cost:

“Katy Gallagher has fundamentally botched this entire protracted negotiation process that has seen secret negotiations, threats to limit funding and a downgrading of the overall moral at Calvary Hospital. Ms Gallagher delay in addressing the future needs of Canberra’s hospital system is a complete failure of leadership and has distracted focus away from the current crisis in our health system.

“Having wasted two and a half years and having caused such acrimony and loss of trust with the Little Company of Mary Health Care and sections of the community, Katy Gallagher must now focus on delivering on the health needs of Canberrans, rebuilding trust and finalising a hospital agreement that will deliver much needed beds to the North of Canberra,” Jeremy Hanson said.

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I-filed said :

Mysteryman said :

Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients…

So they offer safe abortion then?

Apparently reading is difficult, so I’ll post it again:

Mysteryman said :

A refusal to provide a service on the grounds of what one believes does not constitute the imposition of the belief. If the hospital forced patients to pray, that would be imposing their beliefs.

Mysteryman said :

Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients…

So they offer safe abortion then?

sepi said :

There are a number of reproductive medical services that Calvary will not do, meaning a substandard birth service for north canberra couples.

– On discharge from hospital after having a baby there is no discussion of contraception recommendations for the following months (this is normal in other hospitals).

– They will not tie women’s tubes while doing a caesarian – meaning 2 operations (one elsewhere), instead of getting it done in one, as is preferable (and cheaper.)

I’m not sure about medically indicated terminations – possibly they won’t do these either, TCH certainly does.

They also will not even provide a room for anaesthetics for IVF procedures at John James sine they took it over.

There are pictures of nuns in the toilets and if you stay more than a few days someone will come around asking if you need spiritual assistance.

I can tell you from personal experience that Calvary puts the health of a mother above the health of a pre-term baby (and clearly states on p19 of the document link provided by dvaey) – although any baby resulting from such a surgery would be given every chance to survive). I can also tell you they won’t tie tubes while they are performing a C-section (which is all disclosed in the ante-natal sessions). IVF no longer exists at John James, they shut that shop the day they took over – without notice. During my wife’s recent stay following an emergency C-section (yes, they refused to tie her tubes while they were there), we had several (possibly daily?) visits from the Chaplain, but never felt she was pushing a religious message. I certainly NEVER saw a picture of a nun in any toilets (or a nun ON a toilet), and my wife tells me she doesn’t recall those gems either…

…and the contraception discussion is probably better served between the couple and their usual GP (or OB/GYN) in their 6-week follow-up appointment.

Honestly, there are much bigger issues in our health system than the very few services that Calvary refuses to offer…

sepi said :

There are pictures of nuns in the toilets and if you stay more than a few days someone will come around asking if you need spiritual assistance.

I was in Nepean hospital in Western Sydney over summer and had that anyway. You’ll get offers of spiritual assistance anywhere if you are there long term. I’d be surprised if TCH is any different. If you don’t want it, very few would force the issue.

There are a number of reproductive medical services that Calvary will not do, meaning a substandard birth service for north canberra couples.

– On discharge from hospital after having a baby there is no discussion of contraception recommendations for the following months (this is normal in other hospitals).

– They will not tie women’s tubes while doing a caesarian – meaning 2 operations (one elsewhere), instead of getting it done in one, as is preferable (and cheaper.)

I’m not sure about medically indicated terminations – possibly they won’t do these either, TCH certainly does.

They also will not even provide a room for anaesthetics for IVF procedures at John James sine they took it over.

There are pictures of nuns in the toilets and if you stay more than a few days someone will come around asking if you need spiritual assistance.

Mysteryman said :

From their website:

Our inpatient services include:
….

Also from their website: http://www.calvary-act.com.au/assets/docs/common/lcmhc-philosophy.pdf

Page 22-23 covers their views on same-sex couples, IVF, abortion and victims of sexual assault.

Gerry-Built said :

Female Sterilisation – unsure of availability at TCH
Male Sterilisation – not offered at TCH from what I understand
Abortion – not offered at TCH from what I understand

I can assure you that female sterilisation is performed at TCH, I know 2 women who have undergone the procedure there in the last 12 months as it is the only place in the ACT to have it performed.

Male sterilisation is a much simpler procedure and while it may be performed at the hospital, it is more often performed in a simple doctors surgery.

As for whether abortion is offered or not, the decision on whether to offer it is based on medical and professional advice, not based on the ‘Code of ethical standards for Catholic health and aged care services in Australia’. Im fairly sure that TCH wouldnt not perform an abortion if the mothers health was at risk.

dvaey said :

Mysteryman said :

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services. Are there actually any others, or are you all just bashing it because you’re own personal beliefs oppose those of the Catholic church?

Im fairly sure that the Calvary hospital refuses to handle issues such as birth control, from prescribing the pill (even morning-after pill for rape victims) to performing tubal ligation or family planning advice.

They also tip-toe very gently around stem-cell research, IVF and same-sex relationships, calling on their religious beliefs before the requests of the patients and the laws of the land.

prescribing the pill – available at your GP
morning-after pill (rape victims) – available at GP or chemist
tubal ligation – not sure even TCH does this
family planning advice – available at your GP or elsewhere
stem-cell research – clutching straws, not a research hospital, neither is TCH
IVF – pretty sure even TCH don’t do this (that said, Calvary closed the IVF @ JJ when they took it over)

Mysteryman said :

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services. Are there actually any others, or are you all just bashing it because you’re own personal beliefs oppose those of the Catholic church?

Im fairly sure that the Calvary hospital refuses to handle issues such as birth control, from prescribing the pill (even morning-after pill for rape victims) to performing tubal ligation or family planning advice.

They also tip-toe very gently around stem-cell research, IVF and same-sex relationships, calling on their religious beliefs before the requests of the patients and the laws of the land.

D2 said :

Mysteryman said :

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services

You need more than that?

This is supposed to be a public hospital. It’s funded from the public purse. Restricting services on the basis of someone’s interpretation of the demands of a fictitious magical sky fairy has no place in public health provision.

From their website:

Our inpatient services include:

* Emergency medicine
* Anaesthetics
* Gynaecology
* Ophthalmology
* Cardiology
* Head and neck surgery
* Orthopaedics
* ICU/CCU
* Plastics
* Endocrinology
* Neonatology
* Mental health
* Ear, nose and throat
* Neurology
* Respiratory
* Gastroenterology
* Rheumatology
* General medicine
* Maternity
* Urology
* General surgery
* Oncology
* Breast Care Nursing Service
* Pastoral Care

So, because they are government funded, they are supposed to provide every service you want them to? They provide a long list of services to the public – and do so fairly well – and are funded by the government for it. Should they have their funding cut because they don’t provide every service? I don’t think so. That would be foolish.

Bosworth said :

Mysteryman said :

Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients

Mysteryman said :

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services.

lol contradiction.

A refusal to provide a service on the grounds of what one believes does not constitute the imposition of the belief. If the hospital forced patients to pray, that would be imposing their beliefs.

Mysteryman said :

They provide health care, I checked. When I was in emergency, they provided it then. They provided it to a number of pregnant women I know who gave birth there. They also provided it to numerous people I’ve visited there who were recovering from operations performed at Calvary.

So yes, last time I checked they DO provide health care. In all my dealings with them, there has never been an issue of religion or beliefs. I can categorically same the same for all those I know who have also received health care at the hospital.

I concur. I am a non-practicing Catholic… I received treatment last time I sought it. fact.

Mysteryman said :

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services

You need more than that?

This is supposed to be a public hospital. It’s funded from the public purse. Restricting services on the basis of someone’s interpretation of the demands of a fictitious magical sky fairy has no place in public health provision.

Mysteryman said :

Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients

Mysteryman said :

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services.

lol contradiction.

Mysteryman said :

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services. Are there actually any others, or are you all just bashing it because you’re own personal beliefs oppose those of the Catholic church?

Female Sterilisation – unsure of availability at TCH
Male Sterilisation – not offered at TCH from what I understand
Abortion – not offered at TCH from what I understand

Yep – they certainly are missing a whole suite of services due to their moral stance…

tonkatuff82 said :

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

You didn’t really check did you?

They provide health care, I checked. When I was in emergency, they provided it then. They provided it to a number of pregnant women I know who gave birth there. They also provided it to numerous people I’ve visited there who were recovering from operations performed at Calvary.

So yes, last time I checked they DO provide health care. In all my dealings with them, there has never been an issue of religion or beliefs. I can categorically same the same for all those I know who have also received health care at the hospital.

johnboy said :

A cross in every single room?

Besides – you’d probably come away from sighting a crucifix relatively unscathed (assuming you are not a vampire)…

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Nope, that is his MO here, makes wild asumptions and wilder statements without checking the facts, then when called on it, slinks away with some vague insults.

How was that a “wild assumption”? Please explain…

colourful sydney racing identity said :

tonkatuff82 said :

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

You didn’t really check did you?

Nope, that is his MO here, makes wild asumptions and wilder statements without checking the facts, then when called on it, slinks away with some vague insults.

This, from the poster who continuously puts words in the mouths of others in order to support his arguments, without ever contributing anything meaningful to the conversation? Please. I’m yet to see you actually post anything of meaning or significance that wasn’t an attack on another poster.

Nobody has actually listed any of the services the hospital refuses to offer, with the exception of abortion services. Are there actually any others, or are you all just bashing it because you’re own personal beliefs oppose those of the Catholic church?

johnboy said :

A cross in every single room?

…during a family member’s recent protracted stay, and despite several movements of room, she didn’t have a single room with a cross. That said, having a cross in the room is hardly “imposing their beliefs”.

The services Calvary doesn’t offer, are mostly unavailable at The Canberra Hospital too – is there really even a demand for either hospital to deliver them? Do we, really, for peoples’ convenience need to provide, and then duplicate them when they are adequately covered elsewhere already? Especially just for the purpose of getting one up against the Catholics?

The big question should be more about how the ACT Government put the people of the ACT into a situation where a small Catholic-administered hospital can dictate terms to the ACT Government.

Can someone list the services that Calvary don’t perform because of religious beliefs?

Is it just abortion?

colourful sydney racing identity3:16 pm 29 Apr 11

tonkatuff82 said :

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

You didn’t really check did you?

Nope, that is his MO here, makes wild asumptions and wilder statements without checking the facts, then when called on it, slinks away with some vague insults.

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

You didn’t really check did you?

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

You don’t know what we’re talking about, do you?

Why don’t you have a look at the services the hospital refuses to offer on religious grounds.

Now, think before you type rude remarks at people.

colourful sydney racing identity2:35 pm 29 Apr 11

mikal said :

johnboy said :

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

A cross in every single room?

And a refusal to perform abortion services?

Survey says ‘yes’

Rawhide Kid Part32:33 pm 29 Apr 11

Oh well. It looks like a third Hospital could be back on the agenda.

johnboy said :

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

A cross in every single room?

And a refusal to perform abortion services?

colourful sydney racing identity2:16 pm 29 Apr 11

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

Health care with an asterisk.

Mysteryman said :

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

A cross in every single room?

“Never do business with a religious son-of-a-bitch. His word ain’t worth a shit — not with the Good Lord telling him how to f&$k you on the deal.”
William S Burroughs

What the hell are you two on about? It’s a hospital. They provide health care. Last time I checked they didn’t impose their beliefs on the patients, or turn you away for not being Catholic.

Grow up.

Well, the Catholic Church can afford the very best lawyers, after all. The whole thing is pathetic. Freudian slip by Hanson’s presso writers regarding moral/morale? After all, foisting the restrictions of their religion on all patients is morally questionable.

Will then stay southside so my healthcare isn’t governed by a church.

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