Royal North Shore Hospital land sale quietly taken off the table by State Government

PLANS to sell land at Royal North Shore Hospital have been quietly abandoned by the State Government after major opposition from health professionals.

PLANS to sell land at Royal North Shore Hospital have been abandoned.

The State Government late last week quietly backed down from its plans to sell or lease a southern site of the hospital despite earlier claims that the site needed to be sold to fund new facilities such as a childcare centre.

Doctors, clinicians and residents opposed the idea, which, they claimed, would net $97 million for the state coffers.

A Health Infrastructure spokeswoman said the decision to retain the site was made this month to support the RNSH precinct and build new facilities.

“In accordance with the endorsed masterplan, a new office building will be built to accommodate NSW health administration and childcare facilities,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Douglas Building, which was refurbished in August 2015, will continue to provide patient and carer ­accommodation.

“The building will sit on approximately half of zone 8, which is a 10,000sq m area ­located on the southern end of the site.

RNSH medical staff chairman Dr Tony Joseph opposed the land sale to pay for redevelopment of the hospital.

“Health Infrastructure will commence planning in the coming months to determine the specific details.”

Lane Cove state Liberal MP Anthony Roberts said it was a great win for the community and the hospital.

“I think the land is essential for a hospital that will continue to expand,” Mr Roberts said.

“Obviously the State Government has been able to have a look at their budget and we listened to ... people who work at hospital and heard what they had to say.

“I commend Minister Jillian Skinner for her decision.”

You can view the RNSH masterplan online at www.nslhd.health.nsw.govau.