A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will inject $1.2 billion in critical health infrastructure to build and upgrade 20 hospitals and health facilities, providing a major boost to communities right across state.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this investment would improve the quality of healthcare facilities delivered across the state.
“Since 2011, the Liberal and Nationals have delivered more than 180 health infrastructure projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This major $1.2 billion investment will see a further 20 hospitals and health facilities built or upgraded right across the state, future-proofing our health system and ensuring our communities continue to have access to world-class healthcare.
“As part of this investment, $260 million will be allocated for stage two of the Concord Hospital redevelopment, which is already transforming patient care in Sydney’s inner west following the completion of stage one earlier last year.
“These critical investments in health infrastructure are only possible thanks to the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government had driven the biggest investment in regional hospitals and health services in the State’s history to deliver better care closer to home.
“With these new projects in the pipeline, we are on track to have built or upgraded more than 150 hospitals and health services in the regions by 2027 including in some of our most remote communities like Wentworth and Buronga,” Mr Toole said.
“At the last election, Labor threw everything at blocking the new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital, the single largest hospital project ever seen in regional NSW. The Liberal and Nationals knew it is what the community needed and look where we are now – on track for it to be treating patients later this year. Labor can’t be trusted when it comes to regional health.”
Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor said only a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government can guarantee that regional health projects are delivered.
“While Labor plan on dumping the Regional Health portfolio, the NSW Liberal and Nationals in Government are focused on improving health outcomes for our regional, rural and remote communities,” Mrs Taylor said.
“It is only the NSW Liberal and Nationals that are committed to future-proofing health care in the bush – that is our track record. We will continue to ensure our rural and regional communities have the health facilities they need and deserve.
“We are also investing in our workforce, with regional communities reaping the rewards of our $883 million incentive scheme. Thousands of health workers have taken up the package and they will be the ones working in our new hospitals and health facilities that are being delivered by this government.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said since 2011, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has more than tripled Labor’s previous annual health infrastructure spend.
“These world class facilities are only as good as the people who work there, which is why last year we also announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history of 10,148 staff for our metropolitan and rural/regional hospitals,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The physical surroundings in which you spend your working life can be an important source of job satisfaction, productivity and wellbeing but especially so for health staff.
“Building new health facilities plays a big part in helping to attract and retain health workers and ensuring better health outcomes for patients.
“Unlike Labor, every hospital and health facility that our Government has promised to build, has been delivered or is in progress and planning.”
The $1.2 billion investment includes $260 million to deliver stage two of the Concord Hospital redevelopment, and $243 million for two new integrated health hubs recently announced for south west Sydney, which will help ease pressures on local hospitals by providing many of the same services closer to home.
It also includes $114 million announced for the Manning Base Hospital redevelopment, $66 million for a major upgrade of the Warren Multipurpose Service and $7.5 million for improved health services at Milton-Ulladulla Hospital.