Today’s State Budget has delivered a funding windfall for the Inverell community with an additional $30 million provided to fast-track stage two of the much-anticipated redevelopment of Inverell District Hospital, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
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The local MP was delighted with the result, which also saw the remaining $25 million for stage one, to commence construction in August, also fully funded.
“Inverell’s hospital redevelopment is now a $60 million project and every cent in locked in the State Budget,” Mr Marshall said.
“This means the community get a brand new hospital built and see the existing building gutted and refurbished for community and allied health services.
“This result will be a modern health precinct, with all services under the one roof, that will cater for the health needs of the community for many decades to come.”
Mr Marshall said today was the culmination of a lot of hard work and perseverance by many in the community, including local GPs, Inverell Shire Council and hospital staff. He especially singled out Bob Bensley, who has been “a tireless campaigner for the project for decades.”
“It’s been a real team effort and there have been moment when I think we all thought we wouldn’t get to this point, but it’s been worth it,” Mr Marshall said.
“This project has been a personal one for me, as I committed to delivering it when I was first elected, so I am pleased as punch today for Inverell.”
Today’s Budget also provided the remaining funds for the $30 million stage one, which has recently gone out to tender and should start construction in August this year.
“Not only has the rest of stage one been fully funded, but that we have the full amount to fast track Stage Two, making this redevelopment a $60 million dollar health investment for Inverell.
“This additional $30 million will see the entire site reworked making Inverell Hospital a stand out facility with an entirely new building soon to be started.
“This funding means the old building will be completely gutted, overhauled and refitted to give allied health a new facility.
“With this additional $30 million, Stage Two will be able to fit seamlessly into the Stage One redevelopment – this also means that Inverell will have a second brand-new operating theatre.
“The Stage Two funding will see the GP clinic revamped, a new dental clinic, onsite accommodation for visiting specialists and allied health services such as physiotherapy and oncology will also have a brand new facility to work from,” he said.
The $60 million dollar hospital means that every single priority that was identified by the Clinical Services plan, the clinicians and the community will be delivered. The facility, which has had no significant investment since the 1930s, will become a hub for the entire Inverell district.
“Inverell will have a hospital it is proud of and will serve this thriving community for decades,” Mr Marshall said.
The $60 million dollar development will include:
- New and expanded Emergency Department (6 to 9 spaces) including emergency care for children, mental health-related presentations and victims of sexual assault
- New 38-bed Inpatient Unit including:
- Paediatric facilities
- Maternity and birthing facilities
- General adult services, including palliative care
- New Medical Imaging (X-ray) Department
- Two new Operating Theatres
- New Central Sterilising Unit
- New Day Surgery Unit (increase of 1 space to 6)
- Increased capacity for renal dialysis (increase of 2 chairs to 8)
- New main entry and admissions area
- New Mortuary
- New GP clinic
- New Dental clinic
- New Staff accommodation
- Allied and community health facilities – including aged care resources, physiotherapy, oncology and disability services.
- Parking and landscaping
