Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall announced on Wednesday that two community information sessions would be held in Inverell in the coming weeks, providing an opportunity for members of the public to find out every detail about the redevelopment, including the scope, timing and clinical benefits of the project.

He said the sessions would be held on Thursday, August 31 and Friday, September 1, at the Inverell Club and everyone was welcome to attend and hear from the experts and have any questions answered.

“I encourage anyone in the community with an interest in this exciting health project to come along to these information sessions,” Mr Marshall said.

“This is your chance to speak to the project leaders about the redevelopment, look through the preliminary designs and discover when major milestones are expected to be completed and ask about clinical services that will be offered in the new hospital.

“The entire community has shown tremendous support for this project and I expect the Inverell Club will be full with locals keen to find out all the details about how this redevelopment will revolutionise health services in the community.

“With $30 million funding now locked in thanks to this year’s NSW Budget, there are no barriers to redevelopment proceeding. These sessions will help the community finally realise, that after years of campaigning, this incredible redevelopment is now happening.”

Mr Marshall said that NSW Health Infrastructure would soon take over delivery of the project from Hunter New England Health.

“The team at NSW Health Infrastructure are experienced professionals in managing projects of this scale,” he said.

“I’ve been very impressed with their work on the $60 million Armidale Hospital redevelopment, which is moving ahead on schedule, and I look forward to Inverell’s upgrades charging ahead at the same speedy pace.”

The $30 million Inverell Hospital Redevelopment includes:

·         New Emergency Department including emergency care for children and mental health-related presentations;

·         New Inpatient Unit including:

o   Paediatric facilities;

o   New maternity and birthing facilities, including two birthing suites;

o   General adult services including palliative care

·         Medical imaging (including identified future expansion zone);

·         Operating Theatre and associated sterilising unit, bringing the total to two;

·         Day Surgery Unit;

·         New and expanded renal dialysis unit;

·         Main entry and admissions area; and

·         Mortuary.