Dubbo could have a new base hospital within five years.
That’s the word from Greater Western Area Health Advisory Council chairman Dr Steve Flecknoe-Brown as the State Government takes the first step towards a multi-million dollar revamp of the outdated, overcrowded and under-resourced Dubbo medical precinct.
A health infrastructure team from Sydney toured Dubbo Base yesterday to review the condition and functionality of the buildings and site.
The visit - described by GWAHS as preliminary - included meetings with health service executives and clinicians.
It’s all good news, according to Dr Flecknoe-Brown.
“Fingers are crossed that Dubbo will have a brand new hospital in brand new buildings,’’ he said.
“NSW Health Infrastructure puts up the money, makes the plans and signs off on the final detail of any building work. Just getting the department to Dubbo is a major step forward.
“Dubbo base is still very much at the preliminary stage and a new hospital is not a foregone conclusion. However, I would be very surprised if we don’t get the go-ahead because need has been well and truly identified.
“The project may take up to 10 years to reach completion but it could all be done in half that time if the Government gives Dubbo base the red bullet.’’
Dr Flecknoe-Brown said a new state-of-the-art hospital should include a radiotherapy bunker and regional cancer centre.
“We need new buildings and a full-time oncology team before that happens,’’ he said.
“While planning and consultation continues on hospital infrastructure GWAHS will continue recruiting a range of medical specialists.
“The Dubbo health campus has already been recognised as a centre of excellence for the care of complex and chronic disease. We need to continue to develop and enhance that expertise.
“Dubbo needs medical oncologists and haemotologists on site but it would be possible to institute a sharing arrangement with Orange.
“There is nothing to stop Dubbo and Orange both having sustainable regional cancer centres. The two cities serve a combined population of a quarter-of-a-million and the incidence of cancer is rising.
“It is vitally important for Dubbo to have first-class facilities because of the vast distances people travel in the western region to seek treatment.’’
Dubbo Orana Cancer Action Team spokesperson Warrick Wheeler has been encouraged by the health infrastructure visit.
“At long last we seem to be getting some action,’’ he told the Daily Liberal.
“Whatever is built needs to be equal to anything available in Sydney. A new Dubbo Base Hospital has to be properly equipped, staffed and funded.
“We need permanent specialists in our city and dedicated cancer treatment facilities.’’
Independent Dubbo MP Dawn Fardell shares that view.
She was involved in months of lobbying to get the infrastructure team to Dubbo and will continue to press for a base hospital master plan.
“Health is an issue of the utmost importance,’’ Ms Fardell said.
“New hospital buildings must go up in the existing health and education precinct. I won’t allow a band-aid job to be done on Dubbo base this time around.
“Planners must consult with staff because they know what a new hospital needs.
“This is an ideal time for the community to think hard about how it can contribute.’’
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