Commonwealth Funds Major Upgrade for Port Macquarie Base Hospital
The Australian Government has announced a huge boost to health services in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast by committing $96 million in a major upgrade of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
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11 March 2011
The Gillard Government today announced a huge boost to health services in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast by committing $96 million in a major upgrade of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
“This investment will mean more beds, more services and better facilities for the community of Port Macquarie – as part of the Gillard Government’s ongoing commitment to improving regional and rural health services,” said Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.
The Gillard Government committed to fund the Port Macquarie hospital upgrade as part of the agreement with the Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott. The commitment was subject to the application meeting the Health and Hospitals Fund’s criteria. This week, the independent Board of the HHF has provided advice to the Government that the Port Macquarie application meets the HHF criteria. Funding was provided for in MYEFO.
“This funding will provide a new 30-bed medical inpatient unit, an expanded, purpose-built ‘hot floor’ critical care unit, and an expanded emergency department and operating theatre block.
“Also included in the upgrade will be an additional 12 surgical beds, a new and expanded peri-operative unit, a relocated and expanded Central Sterilising and Supply Department, and space for the relocation and expansion of the pre-admissions clinic and clinical support services.
Ms Roxon said the overall result would be modern healthcare facility with the capacity to meet the needs of the people of Port Macquarie and the surrounding region.
The NSW Government has committed a contribution to this project of $14 million. The Gillard Government anticipates that this commitment will be kept by any future NSW Government, following the NSW State election on March 26.
“This investment forms part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to delivering more services in rural and regional areas and giving hospitals the resources they need for more beds and better care.
“The improvements we are announcing today will enable the hospital to provide high quality medical services to the people of the Port Macquarie region into the future.”
The Government is assessing advice from the HHF Board on other applications. Successful projects that are prioritised by the Government from the HHF regional priority round will be announced in the 2011 Budget.
For more information, contact Ms Roxon’s Office: (02) 6277 7220
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