Bowral and District Hospital responds to Public Health First redevelopment questions

Construction of Stage Two is about to begin, prompting questions from concerned residents who say the initial redevelopment proposal forecast the need for 109 beds, to be delivered during Stage One.

READ MORE:

Stage One was completed in 2021. However, Public Health First maintain it opened with a shortfall of 15 beds.

They also say the proposed Stage Two works about to commence construction don't satisfy the bed numbers projected for 2026 and 2031 in the 2017 Clinical Services Plan.

According to Public Health First the redevelopment plans no longer match what was originally promised. And the plans were changed without community consultation.

Southern Highland News put the group's concerns to Bowral and District Hospital and was told the scope of the redevelopment remained "largely unchanged" since the 2018 approval of Stage One and Two.

"The $68.7 million Stage One and $55 million Stage Two redevelopments of Bowral and District Hospital will provide safe and timely access to care close to home for the Southern Highlands community," a spokesperson said.

"There is a continued focus on expanding clinical services and capacity to meet future healthcare needs of the community."

The spokesperson described the new clinical services building as the "centrepiece" of the Stage One redevelopment.

"It was completed in December 2020 and includes an emergency department, operating theatres, adult and paediatric inpatient wards with their own ensuites, allied health treatment spaces and maternity and birthing suites," the spokesperson said.

"The Stage Two redevelopment is being completed in stages with a new and expanded renal unit, and new pharmacy and sterilising departments already completed and available to the community."

Stage Two projects currently underway include a new outpatients centre and back-of-house services, according to the spokesperson.

"The new outpatients centre will be located in the refurbished former administration building featuring allied health care, cardiac assessment and a suite of medical clinics and; enhanced back-of-house services," the spokesperson said.

The hospital claims its Clinical Services Plan, including estimated bed numbers and service provision, is "revised regularly".

"Bed numbers may fluctuate due to a variety of reasons and the hospital has strategies in place to manage any variations," the spokesperson said.

In response to claims about a lack of community consultation the spokesperson said the hospital's redevelopment project team "welcomed community feedback".

"Two information sessions were held in April of this year on the progress of the Stage Two redevelopment and more sessions are planned in the coming months," the spokesperson said.

"The redevelopments are improving the experience of our patients, staff and the community through personalised care, equipment and refurbished facilities."

Southern Highland News also put questions about the project's budget on behalf of the Public Health First group.

They group says the $55 million Stage Two budget was announced in 2020 with $4 million allocated in 2020/21; $8.912 million allocated in 2021/22; and $8.558 million allocated in 2022/23.

They say the total money allocated from the budget for Stage Two to June 30, 2023 was $21,470. That leaves $33,530 of the Stage Two budget not allocated.

Public Health First want clarification on the budget and funds allocated.

They say the Stage Two completion date has also been extended from 2023 to 2025.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: