Regional and rural communities across NSW will benefit from a more than $500 million investment in health that will deliver enhanced health services and more jobs closer to home.
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the additional funding will help deliver more health services and infrastructure needed in the bush.
“We have delivered more than 110 health projects in regional NSW since 2011 with another 70 currently underway and we are continuing to get the job done,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our focus has always been ensuring rural communities get their share of health upgrades so staff and communities have access to enhanced services on their doorstep.”
The investment includes additional funds for a number of projects, including:
- $111.5 million for Cessnock Hospital redevelopment;
- $60 million towards the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, bringing the total investment to $260 million;
- $25 million for Finley Hospital;
- $6.4 million to expand Wyong Hospital’s Cancer Day Unit to deliver specialist cancer ambulatory treatment services, to complement the recently opened $200 million expanded Wyong Hospital;
- $6 million for biomedical equipment upgrades across the Western NSW Local Health District;
- $1 million for planning for a Wagga Wagga Health and Knowledge precinct.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the funding is on top of the $900 million rural infrastructure spend in 2021-22.
“We’re rolling out record investment for new and upgraded regional and rural health facilities to build on our vision to make regional communities the best place to live,” Mr Toole said.
“We are also backing in this infrastructure spend with new initiatives that help ensure we have the workforce needed in the regions to deliver the quality of care our communities deserve.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is making sure the millions of patients who access the health system each year have the health facilities that match their needs.
“We are building better health services across the state and we know we need to get the right health infrastructure in place so our medical professionals can provide the care and support people in the regions need,” Mr Hazzard said.
