Outrage as doctors back pub's move to add more poker machines in exchange for $500,000 donation to hospital's paediatrics department
- Some doctors support the addition of more poker machine at a pub for donation
- Fairfield Hotel have struck a deal with Fairfield hospital's paediatric department
- If approved, the pub will get seven machines and give the hospital $500,000
- Many have dubbed the controversial deal as obscene, disgusting and unethical
- Fairfield has one of the highest densities of poker machines and gambling
The decision to add more poker machines to a Western Sydney pub in exchange for a donation to the local children's hospital has sparked outrage.
Fairfield Hotel struck a deal with Fairfield hospital's paediatrics department to support an application for seven poker machines in return for an annual donation of $100,000 over five years.
Many have dubbed the deal struck between the pub and Fairfield hospital as obscene, disgusting and unethical, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Fairfield Hotel (pictured) struck a deal with Fairfield hospital to support application for seven poker machines in return for an annual donation of $100,000 over five years
Many have dubbed the deal struck between the pub and the hospital as obscene, disgusting and unethical (stock image)
In their application for the poker machines, Fairfield Hotel promised to contribute $500,000 over five years to the Fairfield Hospital Children's Ward Charitable Trust.
'Fairfield Hospital facilities, and in particular the Children's Ward, will benefit immensely from this donation, which will ensure that maximum community benefit will flow through to the Fairfield Local Government Area Community for many years to come.'
The move is apparently supported by some doctors at the hospital, made evident by a letter written and signed on a NSW Health letterhead.
The letter details that the $500,000 would benefit the ward as it would be spent on equipment to better service patients.
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Fairfield is an area that has one of the highest densities of poker machines and gambling rates per capita.
Spokesman for The Alliance for Gambling Reform Tim Costello told Daily Mail Australia said it's appalling the hotel would be allowed additional poker machines.
'It is disgusting that applications for additional poker machines in already pokies ravaged council areas like Fairfield can be achieved with dubious funding arrangements with local hospital charities,' Mr Costello said.
In their application for the poker machines, Fairfield Hotel promised to contribute $500,000 over five years to the Fairfield Hospital Children's Ward Charitable Trust (pictured)
'Pokies money is generated off the back of enormous misery and public harm, so community groups, hospital and charities should simply refuse to accept tainted money from the predatory industry.'
Dr John Crozier, a senior trauma surgeon with the South Western Sydney Health, said the deal has angered clinical staff.
As Fairfield is such a high-risk area with poker machines, doctors who work in the area are aware of the significant harm caused by them, he claimed.
Dr Crozier said not only does it contribute to poverty, but also domestic violence. They are also related to a higher use of alcohol and smoking rates.
As Fairfield is such a high-risk area with poker machines, doctors who work in the area are aware of the significant harm caused by them
However, the full impact of the harm pokies can cause isn't understood in NSW as it's not studied enough.
The trauma surgeon said doctors who serve the community supporting an increase in poker machines is 'obscene and perhaps even a breach of the code of conduct'.
Associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Western Sydney Doctor Andrew McDonald said although the doctors who signed the letter were well intentioned, they were naive.
The application has not been approved as the Department of Liquor and Gaming is yet to make a decision.
Daily Mail Australia is awaiting comment from Fairfield Hotel.
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