NSW Minister for Health Announces $839.5 million investment in health infrastructure

Tuesday 3 June, 2008

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the Iemma Government will continue to deliver better health services and infrastructure with a $839.5 million investment in health capital works in 2008-09.

"The capital works program delivers on the Iemma Government's State Plan priority of improving access to quality healthcare, with funding in the 2008-09 budget allowing significant works to be carried out across the state," Ms Meagher said.

"The Iemma Government is investing $2.3 billion over four years for a rolling program of works across the state and the 2008-09 Budget includes funding for a number of new projects."

New health infrastructure to commence in 2008-09 includes:

• $12.2 million for the $27 million Lismore Integrated Cancer Care Centre
• $5.6 million to start work on the $41.7 million redevelopment of Narrabri Hospital
• $18 million to build Multi Purpose Services at Coonamble, Balranald, Eugowra and Manilla
• $2 million to establish a Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre at Prince of Wales Hospital
• $3.5 million to start work on a new $10 million Emergency Department at Maitland Hospital
• $6.9 million for a number of new projects under the Ambulance Infrastructure Program, including new ambulance stations at Batemans Bay and Byron Bay, and the introduction of new technology for the electronic patient record and radio network
• $10.4 million on a range of new medical imaging and patient monitoring equipment in hospitals across the state.

"Public Private Partnerships are allowing health infrastructure to be delivered earlier, and more cost effectively, for the people of NSW and two projects will begin construction this year," Ms Meagher said.

"We are investing $61.4 million to start the redevelopment of the Royal North Shore Hospital and community health facility, as well as completing the Kolling Research and Education building.

"The $214 million investment in the Orange Hospital Campus Redevelopment will see full construction beginning in 2008-09, with ongoing consultation with clinicians to finalise planning for capacity requirements for the site.

"Two Public Private Partnerships are nearing completion this year, with the final stages being carried out at the $212 million Newcastle Mater Hospital Redevelopment and the Forensic Hospital at Long Bay Correctional Centre.

"Funding is also provided to continue the detailed planning underway for a number of new health services including the Bega Valley Health Service, Lachlan Valley Health Service, the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment Stage 3, and Grafton, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga hospitals.

"This investment in important health infrastructure will deliver better health services for the future and support health workers with the latest medical equipment and modern work environments to improve patient care."

The 2008-09 Health Budget also provides continued investment in a number of infrastructure projects that are already underway, including:

• $106.2 million to continue the major redevelopment of Liverpool Hospital Stage 2 which will support the future forecast requirements of this growth area
• $50.6 million to progress the construction of the Auburn Health Services Redevelopment including a new hospital on the existing Auburn Hospital site to provide a comprehensive range of services
• $2.8 million to complete the $51 million redevelopment of Queanbeyan Hospital
• $37 million towards mental health capital works underway at Gosford Hospital, Wollongong Hospital, Child and Adolescent units at Sydney Children's Hospital and at Shellharbour Hospital, Non Acute Mental Health Units at Sutherland, Shellharbour, St George, James Fletcher and Coffs Harbour hospitals, as well as funding for the Forensic and Tertiary Mental Health Units at Bloomfield Hospital (as part of the Orange Hospital privately funded project)
• $15.3 million to redevelop ambulance stations at Auburn, Deniliquin, Liverpool, Nelson Bay and Ryde, as well as fleet and medical equipment upgrades.

"People in NSW are seeing the results of the Iemma Government's commitment to improving health infrastructure with capital works being carried out right across the state," Ms Meagher said.

"Our ongoing investment will ensure that people in NSW continue to have access to high quality health care in their local area."

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au