Jillian Skinner med rel: $1.3 billion building boom for NSW hospitals

Almost $1.3 billion will be invested to rebuild the state’s hospitals and health facilities this year, Health Minister Jillian Skinner announced today.

Mrs Skinner said major upgrades will commence at hospitals including Westmead, St George, Sutherland and Gosford this year. Work will also begin on the new Byron Central Hospital and a new Campbelltown Hospital Clinical School.

Highlights of the NSW Government 2014-15 health capital works investment include:

. $5 million to commence the redevelopment of Westmead Hospital;
. $4 million to commence the redevelopment of St George Hospital;
. $2.2 million to the commence the redevelopment of Sutherland Hospital;
. $2.7 million to commence redevelopment of Gosford Hospital;
. $1.5 million to start construction of new Byron Central Hospital;
. $9 million grant to start construction of the new Campbelltown Hospital Clinical School, in partnership with the University of Western Sydney;
. $24.5 million for new ambulance stations in Sydney, part of a $150 million five-year commitment;
. $12.7 million to plan future upgrades of health facilities across NSW;
. $9.3 million to commence redevelopment of John Hunter Children’s Hospital paediatric and neonatal intensive care units

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is investing almost $1.3 billion this year to continue our major upgrades at hospitals across the state,” Mrs Skinner said.

“I’m incredibly proud to commit funding to the major upgrades of Westmead, St George, Sutherland and Gosford hospitals. These mammoth projects will be valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars and will change the way health care is delivered to these communities.

“These huge redevelopments were neglected for more than a decade under Labor. We are committed to building the hospitals of the future for the benefit of patients.”

Mrs Skinner said new ambulance stations will be built across Sydney.

“More than $24 million is being invested to purchase land for new ambulance stations across metropolitan Sydney and to commence construction of new stations at Bankstown, Blacktown, Kogarah, Liverpool and Penrith.

“Work will also continue on new ambulance stations at Bega, Kempsey and Albury.

“Further funding is being invested to plan our future capital works program at hospitals including Blacktown, Wyong and Shellharbour. We’re also planning the future of facilities including Forensic Pathology and a new Coroner’s Court for NSW.

“Over $9 million will be invested to enhance the high-quality, specialised care provided to newborns and children from the Hunter, New England and north coast areas of NSW,” Mrs Skinner said.

“John Hunter Children’s Hospital is the primary referral facility for more than 20 per cent of the state’s children and young people. This redevelopment will enrich the services and care available to the community.

“Car parks remain a vital component of health infrastructure and more than $4 million is being invested to start works to enhance parking at Lismore ($2.2 million) and Coffs Harbour ($2 million).”

Mrs Skinner said the big infrastructure spend will support the continuation of major hospital redevelopment projects already underway across NSW.

“Funding from the capital works budget includes continuing works at Blacktown, Campbelltown, Hornsby, St George Emergency Department, Sutherland Hospital car park, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Bega, Parkes, Forbes, Port Macquarie, Lismore and Kempsey hospitals, among other projects.”

Mrs Skinner said the NSW Government committed almost $5 billion to the upgrade of hospitals and health facilities in its first term of government.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is getting on with the job of upgrading our hospital bricks and mortar so staff can deliver the first class care they are known for in first class facilities.

“Morale in our health system is higher than ever before – staff are seeing cranes in the air at their hospitals and watching the government deliver on its commitments.

“Before the election, the NSW Liberals & Nationals promised to upgrade hospitals and health facilities across the state. I’m very proud in our first term of government we are delivering on our commitment to these communities.”