Controversies abound as hospital’s new ED opens

A new south coast emergency department has opened among controversies of staff shortages and long building timelines.

The Premier, Dominic Perrottet with Bega Candidate, Russell Fitzpatrick opening the Moruya Hospital emergency department.

The opening of a south coast hospital’s new emergency department was hijacked by controversies on Friday, as the state premier was grilled on staffing shortages and building timelines for the new Eurobodalla Hospital.

Moruya Hospital’s new ED was officially opened by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet while protesters holding signs asking for more staff stood outside.

One protester, who wouldn’t provide their name, said they were concerned on the lack of staff at Moruya Hospital. However they declined to give any further comment.

Other protesters were approached, but refused to speak.

State Labor MP for Bega, Dr Michael Holland, said the new department should have been open before Christmas last year.

“During holiday periods, the population of the Eurobodalla triples,” he said.

“These beds should have been available from the beginning of December and not nine weeks before an election.

“In fact, development should have began years ago following clinical review identifying its need.”

During the opening, Mr Perrottet said he had been speaking with other state premiers to discuss the staff shortage crisis.

“There is no doubt there is significant staff shortages in many areas across our country,” he said.

“My view is that we will see a significant increase in labour opportunities over the course of this year.”

Inquiries into constructing the new department began in 2018, begging the question as to why the new facility took so long to come to fruition.

“So many projects have been completed since 2011 and there’s hundreds on the way,” Mr Perrottet said.

“You have to go through the timelines, you have to go through the sequencing.”

Dominic Perrottet was questioned on the length of time it took for the department to open and staff shortages. Picture: Tom McGann.

According to Dr Holland’s office, the new $260 million Eurobodalla Shire hospital is set to open in 2025.

When opened, the current Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals will be closed.

Mr Perrottet addressed concerns the funding used for the new ED should have been used for the new hospital.

“It’s important to give the people of the south coast the best health care all the time,” he said.

However, the Premier did not comment on the hospital closing.

Dr Holland said this would never have been an issue if the new facility was built years ago.

“It has taken five years for this to be delivered,” he said.

“The NSW Government should have acted years ago for these improvements in a timely and economical manner.”