Inpatient accommodation, surgical services, and maternity and paediatric services have been flagged as top priorities for Bowral Hospital funding.

Bowral and District Hospital general manager Valerie Jovanovic said it was an exciting time for the hospital, as redevelopment planning was underway.

“We are looking at building a new clinical services building which will improve facilities for both patients and staff,” she said.

“The new building will include modern theatres, inpatient wards and birthing suites. There will be more single patient rooms with ensuites and a new main entrance to the hospital.”

She said the possibility of a public private partnership (PPP) with Southern Highlands Private Hospital through Ramsay Health Care would free up capital which could be reinvested in the public hospital.

In response to the Public Health First community meeting on March 13, South West Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) released a statement stressing the hospital would remain a public hospital, and public health services would continue to be free.

A ‘redevelopment’ information tab has been added to the hospital’s website, stating works would start on the hospital in 2017.

Eight community consultation sessions have been held in regards to the hospital so far. Three more drop-in sessions have been scheduled for April:

Additional sessions have been planned for Bundanoon, Exeter and Sutton Forest. Details to come.

A meeting will be held with Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell, Public Health First representatives and health union representatives on March 21.

The public can also sign up for receive updates from SWSLHD by sending their name and email address to BowralHospitalRedevelopment@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.

The redevelopment page can be viewed at http://www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/bowral/redevelopment.html.