Wednesday, 10 August 2016
$1 million facility planning underway
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today welcomed the commencement of the next phase of planning for the $30 million redevelopment of the Inverell District Hospital.
Following the allocation of $1 million in the 2016/17 NSW Budget, Mr Marshall said Hunter New England Health (HNEH) capital works and NSW Health Infrastructure teams were now progressing with the next steps of planning for the new facility.
“Hunter New England Health is working closely with NSW health Infrastructure to commence the redevelopment business case process, which I’m told will be completed by the end of the year,” Mr Marshall said.
He said the project was following the same process as the $60 million Armidale Hospital redevelopment, which would soon see the main construction get underway.
“The Clinical Services Plan for the Inverell Hospital was completed earlier this year and will form the basis for the business case and subsequent planning for the redevelopment,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is another incredibly exciting step for the Inverell community, which can now be assured of seeing tangible progress in the next 12 months with further community consultation, detailed design plans developed and virtual walkthroughs of the redevelopment.
“This time next year, we will fully understand what is involved in the redevelopment of Inverell Hospital, and will be in a strong position to secure for funding to begin construction.
“I’ll be writing to the Inverell community shortly to provide an update and a summary of the Clinical Services Plan.”
Mr Marshall said the redevelopment would focus on integrated delivery of all local health services in the community.
“A planner has been meeting with Inverell Hospital and health service staff over the last few weeks to discuss the layout of services at the hospital campus and how these would be integrated with other health services in the community,” he said.
“Hunter New England Health has also been consulting with members of the Inverell staff to identify the best way for services to work together in the redeveloped facility.”
The Inverell Hospital redevelopment will include a new inpatient unit and emergency department, contemporary maternity services and family-centred models of care. Improved treatment facilities and renal dialysis, ambulatory care and outpatient spaces will also be included.
“I’ll continue to work closely with Hunter New England Health and update the Inverell community with further details on as this important project progresses,” Mr Marshall said.