After half a century of community campaigning and less than two years of construction, the new Inverell hospital building officially opened on Monday, May 25.
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Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall recently took pleasure in speaking about the hospital's first week of operation in Parliament.
Mr Marshall said 142 presentations were made to the new emergency department, along with 21 new inpatient admissions and eight patients were transferred from the old hospital to the new building.
"[There were] Twenty-eight dialysis sessions in the new and expanded renal unit which has extra chairs, eight general surgeries and one C-section performed in the operating theatre. Four babies were born in the new maternity ward in the first week.
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While the figures shine a light on the demand Inverell's hospital regularly faces, Mr Marshall said it was the testimonials from patients that he took the greatest heart from.
During his speech, the MP spoke of long-time renal patient Scott Michelle who was among the first patients in the new hospital. Mr Michelle commented on how welcoming, spacious and accessible the new facility is.
"The first baby to be born in the new maternity unit, baby Demi, arrived in the early hours of Wednesday, May 27. Her mother Amy said it was great to have the privacy of her own room and ensuite and the views overlooking the beautiful Inverell community were very calming. Amy also thanked the midwives, the doctors and the staff, stating the experience at the hospital was 'wonderful'.
"Another story to come out of the first week was baby Mackinley, who was the last baby to be born in the maternity unit of the old hospital and the first inpatient, along with her mum, Savannah, in the new hospital.
"Mackinley's dad Tim has a special connection with the new hospital. As a Richard Crookes Constructions engineer, he was involved in the project since starting the build in mid-2018. Tim said he was proud to be part of a team that delivered the new hospital and it was surreal to be there, not as an engineer but as a patient, visitor and dad," Mr Marshall said.
The new building being open represents the completion of stage one of an overall $60 million health precinct redevelopment. Stage two will now be the shifting focus for contractors Richard Crookes Constructions.
As part of stage two, the old hospital building will be gutted, refurbished and eventually re-purposed to house all of the community health facilities. "I look forward to the second stage being completed in May next year," Mr Marshall said.
During his speech in Parliament, Mr Marshall thanked Inverell Shire Council Mayor Paul Harmon, Bob Bensley, Di Baker and Operation: Operating Room for making the project possible.
