In July, the proposed public-private partnership was scrapped, in November it was announced a full satellite dialysis service would be created and on December 19, the early stages of the $50 million redevelopment began. 

Fencing has been put up, which marks the next phase of the long-awaited redevelopment. 

Bowral and District Hospital general manager Valerie Jovanovic said extensive planning had been underway since the announcement of the NSW Government-funded and led project which will ensure the revamped hospital meets the needs of the Southern Highlands community.

“We have been through a thorough and careful planning process, which has included master planning, building design, ground works and construction,” she said.

“Once the hospital is upgraded, we will have a new clinical services building with improved patient and staff amenities that will allow us to continue delivering quality health services to our community.”

Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell said Christmas had come early for Highlands residents. 

“This has been a long journey, it’s been decades in the making, but here we are on day one [of the redevelopment],” 

“This is really the first sign that this hospital will be redeveloped and the government’s commitment of $50 million is actually happening.” 

Ms Jovanovic said it was great to see works commence before the end of the year. 

“It’s what the community deserves, it’s what they’ve been waiting for, it’s what local government has been advocating for a long time,” she said. 

The redevelopment will include modern theatres and inpatient wards (maternity and pediatrics), more single patient rooms with ensuites, improved facilities for patients and staff, new medical equipment and a new main entrance to Bowral & District Hospital.

Ms Jovanovic confirmed that there would also be 10 additional subacute beds within the build and said staffing would be looked at in line with this. 

“As part of the planning process the workforce plan will also be looked at.” 

Community members and groups have raised concerns that the $50 million allocation was not to enough to adequately upgrade the hospital, but Mr Rowell said he would continue to push for more government funding. 

“I really look forward over the next 12 months to securing extra money and twisting the government’s arm for further money,” he said. 

“But this has been designed in a way that everything works and you don’t have to travel to the other side of the campus to try to access various parts of service,” he said. 

The redevelopment is set to be competed in line with hospital’s 130^th anniversary in 2020. 

Ms Jovanovic is leaving her position for a new role at the end of the week and said she was pleased to see capital works begin before her departure. 

“I’ve been here for close to three years and I’ve had a fantastic time and have been so proud to be the general manager,” she said. 

“What I leave moving forward is a fantastic leadership team that I know will hold the hospital in fantastic hands.” 

Ms Jovanovic also confirmed that preliminary planning had commenced for the satellite dialysis unit. 

“Planning meetings will commence early in the new year and the [Southern Highlands Renal Appeal] will be involved in the process,” she said.  

Ms Jovanovic also assured patients and visitors that the redevlopment would not impact the care of patients in any way. 

“While there may be some access changes during the redevelopment, we will ensure there will be no issues for patients attending or accessing the emergency department, or other areas of the hospital.”