It was a red letter day at Dubbo Hospital yesterday when health minister Jillian Skinner announced $150 million for the next phase of redevelopment at the medical precinct.
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Mrs Skinner was flanked by Member for Dubbo Troy Grant as she stood in front of the $91.3 million stage one and two construction site.
She said new operating theatres, a maternity unit and day surgery facilities would be completed by the end of the year.
"We will then immediately move forward with stages three and four of the master plan delivering an emergency department, imaging facilities, ambulatory care centre and cardiac catheterisation laboratory in a new three-storey building," Mrs Skinner said.
"Dubbo Hospital is a marvellous example of how to get things right by engaging everyone - clinicians, the community and special interest groups."
- Health Minister Jillian Skinner
"The work will also include a new medical inpatient ward, completing the northern wing of the stage one and two clinical services building.
"Upgrades to the oncology, cardiovascular and stroke units will form part of stages three and four to allow the intensive care unit to expand and meet the growing demand.
"A new front of house entry (in Myall Street), drop-off zone and additional car parking will also form part of this major redevelopment."
Mrs Skinner said Dubbo Hospital had long been in need of an upgrade.
"During its 16 years of government Labor sat on its hands while Dubbo outgrew its hospital," she said.
"Upgrades were promised and never delivered.
"Plans for a refurbishment had been development by the previous government but we went back to the drawing board when doctors told us what was planned would just be renovating a dysfunctional site.
"User groups have influenced the way Dubbo Hospital has emerged in the new development.
"We've talked with doctors, nurses, patients and specialist groups. An Aboriginal consultative group has played a major part in how the new stage will be, including a new entrance with a garden and a particular facility to accommodate the Aboriginal community.
"Dubbo Hospital is a marvellous example of how to get things right by engaging everyone - clinicians, the community and special interest groups.
"The total investment is nearly $250 million and I am very proud to have had a hand in it."
Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan said Dubbo played a critical role in the health network.
"Dubbo Hospital caters for nearly 150,000 people," he said.
"Being able to bolster services with a big redevelopment is just amazing."
Mr McLachlan said Dubbo Hospital had experienced considerable progress, in addition to building work.
"We have been successful in recruiting 15 new staff specialists to Dubbo in the last 15 months and the hospital now has a full complement of nursing staff," he said.
"This really does herald a new stage of service delivery for Dubbo and the region."
