Wednesday, 4 April 2018
CALL FOR FAST-TRACKING OF INVERELL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT STAGE TWO
MP requests additional $30 million to complete project
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today called for the fast-tracking of stage two of the redevelopment of Inverell District Hospital, requesting an additional $30 million from the State Government in the upcoming 2018/19 Budget, to get the whole project completed.
Mr Marshall said it made more sense to have a seamless construction transition between the two stages at the hospital, rather than coming back years later to complete the job.
He said the add on of stage two would see the former hospital building gutted and completely refurbished to allow the community and allied health services, including oncology, to be relocated into the one site at the new hospital.
“This would also allow the second new operating theatre and CT scanner back to be constructed, in line with the original concept,” Mr Marshall said.
“The GP clinic would also be revamped, new dental clinic built and modern accommodation for staff and visiting specialists and medical professionals.
“It would also entail additional car parking, demolition of the existing dilapidated community health building and landscaping the entire new hospital site.”
Mr Marshall made the announcement today while opening the public tender process for the $30 million first stage of the redevelopment.
“With stage one construction locked in to start in the middle of this year and continue into late next year, it makes more sense to proceed with stage two immediately to keep the construction going and to do the job once and properly.”
Mr Marshall joined representatives from Inverell Shire Council and the town’s medical community to announce that Stage One was merely the start of the changes he wants to see slated for the hospital, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1930s.
“Stage two will put the icing on a magnificent health cake for the community, placing all the community’s health services, with room for expansion, under the one roof,” he said.
“It will also ensure we have a finished project that delivers on every single priority identified in the most recent Clinical Services Plan, including future imaging and surgical needs.
“The old hospital building will be gutted and fully refurbished for allied health facilities, which are also very important. Those services will include physiotherapy, dental and aged care resources, oncology wards, disability services and accommodation for visiting specialists.
“At completion, the full redevelopment will give the Inverell community a health facility which is fully future-proofed and offers the same kind of health care enjoyed both those in Armidale and Tamworth.
“Inverell is a thriving, growing community and deserves health facilities to match that growth for the future.”