An estimated 700 people gathered to protest the state government’s September announcement that it would look for help in the private sector to build and run the new hospital.

The Mercury went on record last week against the plan to privatise the Metford facility – which will replace the existing hospital that sits at the top of High Street.

Speakers at Sunday’s rally raised some important points that are worth keeping in mind as debate about the hospital continues in the coming months – and possibly years.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner has been quick to make the comparison between the new Maitland hospital and the Calvary Mater in Newcastle recently.

When questioned about the privatisation of the Maitland facility, Mrs Skinner has frequently responded with a comment that points out how well the Mater runs.

But, as NSW Nurse and Midwives Association general secretary Brett Holmes said at the rally on Sunday, it appears Mrs Skinner is comparing apples with oranges.

While the Mater has private sector involvement, it’s not a public-private partnership like the one proposed for Maitland.

The Mater is overseen by NSW Health and has responsibilities to the government in terms of policies, service delivery and conditions for doctors, nurses and other employees. That’s not what has been proposed for Maitland.

Andrew Holland, the executive director of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation, which represents doctors, was scathing in his criticism of the Baird government.

He told the rally he believed the government had put the education of junior doctors, public safety and quality of care at risk because of “blind ideology”.

The Australian Medical Association has also recently expressed concern that the new Maitland hospital won’t be large enough to cope with the forecast demand.

These are strong statements from people who represent workers at the front-line of this region’s health care system and should not be taken lightly.

When they are standing up and saying the new hospital isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, maybe the government should pay attention.