Thursday, 18 August 2016
Following the meeting today between Hunter New England Health, the Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary and donors toward the proposed helipad, local MP Adam Marshall has welcomed confirmation that around $500,000 will be invested in improvements in Glen Innes Hospital.
The funds will be spent on the installation of piping for medical gases and reverse-cycle air-conditioning.
“While the hospital helipad project has been put on hold, I’m really pleased that HNEH has acknowledged the disappointment and distress caused by its handling of the issue,” Mr Marshall said.
“Now all parties have agreed to put that matter behind them and pivot toward this significant investment in improving the hospital infrastructure.
“Understandably, some of those who were donating towards a helipad will want their donation returned. However, this is ultimately a good result for the Glen Innes community.
“At some point in the future, we will also see a considerable investment in upgrading the town’s hospital to meet the needs of the future. Work is about to start on Armidale Hospital’s $60 million upgrade, and $1 million will be spent in the coming year on planning for the $30 million Inverell Hospital upgrade.”
“Eventually it will be Glen Innes’s turn – and that might be the time to rescucitate the idea of a helipad.”
Mr Marshall commended those in the community who had helped wring a satisfactory result from the confusion produced by mixed messaging on the helipad.
“Jan Sharman and Elizabeth McCarthy on the Hospital Auxilary, and Mayor Col Price and local Health Advisory Committee member Steve Toms worked hard to ensure that the best possible outcome emerged out of a challenging situation.
“Full credit to them for a result that will help bring Glen Innes’s hospital a bit further into the 21st Century.