Labor makes renal unit top priority

The renal unit is also set to benefit, with Labor candidate for Wollondilly, Jo-Ann Davidson, making this service one of her top priorities.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the Liberal Government pledge on March 6 of $55 million dollars for stage two works at the hospital.

Shadow health minister Walt Secord said that under a Labor government, health would be a priority. 

"Bowral and District Hospital has been neglected by the Liberals for years… the Berejiklian Government has the wrong priorities," he said.

"The Liberals and Nationals have been in power for eight years and they've discovered three weeks out from the election that they've neglected regional areas and neglected health. You can't fatten a pig on market day."

Labor candidate for Wollondilly, Jo-Ann Davidson said that the local area had been crying out for better health services.

"The plan is to get more renal nurses in here and to increase staff to patient ratio.

"It's all good to have a lovely modern building but if you don't have the staff, then you aren't providing services.

"I'd like to have a long term plan for the hospital, I'd like to see a few more clinics here. I'd like to see clinics being able to come here, even if it's once or twice a week."

Edna Carmichael from Public Health First was disappointed that the Labor government matched what was being offered by the Liberal Party.

"There is a sense of disappointment that it's not something else, there is still no mention about clinical service or how they would increase within that budget," she said

However, Edna was optimistic about the renal unit being a top priority and an increase of staff.

"An increase to staffing and a real program to get well-trained people in hospitals in country NSW has to be a win for every community with a local hospital. If that's their program."

The announcement follows a re-commitment to provide 5500 nurses.