The new $73 million Macksville Hospital is expected to be open and operating months ahead of schedule and without any disruptions to normal service delivery.
NSW Nationals Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said the opening will help put the Mid North Coast Local Health District in a strong position to manage the operational impacts of COVID-19.
“Having both the current and new hospital facilities available will provide greater capacity for the Mid North Coast,” Mrs Pavey said.
“As winter approaches, we expect further challenges as we face the flu season, as well as dealing with COVID -19.
“Having the capacity to use the current Macksville Hospital will help us meet the additional demands on our local healthcare system.”
Health Infrastructure is currently forecasting project handover in May 2020 to enable operational commissioning, before the new facility is expected to open its doors later that month.
This is six months ahead of the target operational date and an achievement that will benefit the whole Mid North Coast community.
The new Macksville Hospital is being built on a ‘greenfield’ site, three kilometres north of the Macksville town centre.
Once complete and fully operational, the hospital will include:
• an emergency department
• inpatient units
• operating theatre
• maternity and Tresillian services
• community and allied health facilities.
“Building essential health facilities to meet the needs of NSW communities now, and into the future, has never been more important,” Mrs Pavey said.
“We thank our project partners and local health districts for working with us to keep projects going and ensure the safety of our people, workers and communities”.
Mrs Pavey extended her heartfelt thanks to the local tradies and workers, led by a locally born and bred project manager, who have been working hard to get this project completed.
“It’s been their effort and skills which have made the early completion of this project possible, to coincide with this time of need,” Mrs Pavey said.
Another hot new project for Macksville
Mrs Pavey also announced $550,000 from the NSW Nationals in Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund to improve community infrastructure in Macksville.
Nambucca Shire Council secured the funding for the Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre to install a heating system for the Olympic pool.
“The heating of the local pool will allow the Macksville community to enjoy warmer water temperatures for longer and will encourage additional use of the Aquatic and Fitness centre,” Ms Pavey said.
“The upgrade will promote health and wellbeing benefits for the range of centre users and provide additional swimming opportunities for the local Macksville Marlins Club and others.
“Electrical upgrades will also be completed to support the installation as well the required purchase of pool blankets, heat pumps and solar panels to sustain the new heating system.
“I congratulate the Marlins Club for their advocacy and Council for putting the project forward – it’s a collaborative effort involving feedback and ideas from the community, supported by local government and given life by the State Government.”
