Eurobodalla Hospital site selection ‘long overdue’ but welcome, say advocates
Advocates have welcomed the site selected for the new Eurobodalla regional hospital with construction set to begin next year.
The South Coast News
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Advocates have welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to build the new Eurobodalla regional hospital on a rural block of land at Moruya.
Monday’s announcement comes after NSW Health said earlier this month construction of the long awaited $200 million hospital would begin next year.
The chosen site, near the Moruya TAFE campus, was announced by Bega Liberal MP Andrew Constance and NSW Health representatives on Monday, and will combine the Moruya District Hospital and Batemans Bay Hospital.
Moruya gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Michael Holland, who began a petition two years ago pushing for the construction of a regional hospital in the Eurobodalla, said advocacy group One New Eurobodalla Hospital has welcomed the site.
The group said Health Infrastructure had selected the right site for the project.
“It will provide equitable access to all residents of the Eurobodalla from north of Batemans Bay to south of Narooma,” a spokesman said.
“With the development of the new Moruya bypass, it allows direct access to the hospital and Moruya airport.
“The size of the site allows for future development and is secure from fire and flood.
A spokesman said the “selection process was performed with the due diligence of independent evaluation and consultation”.
“The clinical services planning team are the physiologists who will determine the function of the health services to be provided,” he said.
“Work continues on the planning for provision of services to the Eurobodalla community which currently lacks intensive care, paediatric, mental health and orthopaedic services which are provided within our neighbouring regional and base hospitals within the local health district.
“One New Eurobodalla Hospital members expect that the new Eurobodalla Regional hospital will open its doors with level 4 clinical services integrated from before birth to the end of life, including physical and mental health.
“This will be achieved by the commencement of improvements in accident and emergency and close observation services during this transition.”
Group member Georgie Rowley said construction of the hospital has been a “very long overdue venture”.
Bega Liberal MP said the announcement was “great news for the community”, and confirmed the hospital would be built with level 4 services.
“I know the community has been waiting a long time for the announcement to be made,” he said.
Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Liz Innes said the day was a celebration of the work of community advocates.
“It is a fantastic location, central to the Eurobodalla,” she said.
“What a great Christmas present.”
Southern NSW Local Health District CEO Margaret Bennett said the board was looking forward to working closely with the community now construction is set to begin.
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