NSW Health Infrastructure responds to Public Health First letter to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park

Southern Highland News previously approached Mr Park about a letter sent by members of the community group Public Health First.

READ MORE:

In the letter PHF spokesperson Edna Carmichael said: "It would appear that the major redevelopment promised is now defunct."

ALSO READ: Public Health First lobby NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on broken Bowral and District Hospital promise

No response from Mr Park was available at the time of publication. However, on Tuesday, June 15 a Health Infrastructure spokesperson responded.

"Work to deliver the $55 million Stage Two redevelopment of Bowral and District Hospital is progressing well and is being completed in stages," the spokesperson said.

PHF took umbrage at the NSW Government's previous claim about a new and expanded renal dialysis unit, pharmacy and sterilising department being "complete and available to the community".

PHF said the 'new' renal unit was housed within the old hospital and that it was funded via a $750,000 community trust.

"There are currently six chairs and no plans to increase this number," Ms Carmichael said.

Despite this Health Infrastructure repeated the same claim on Tuesday.

"A new and expanded renal unit, and new pharmacy and sterilising departments are already completed and available to the community and staff," the spokesperson said.

These works include a new Outpatient Centre, which will be located in the refurbished former Administration Building.

"A refurbishment of the Milton Park Building will also be completed including: a clinical information department, education, administration unit, mortuary, loading dock, and back of house services," the spokesperson said.

"Work is expected to be completed progressively between 2024 and 2025."

"The Stage Two redevelopment reflects the 2021 master plan and enables the capacity for future hospital expansion," the spokesperson said.

However, PHF disputed this in their letter to Mr Park.

"Cardiac assessment appears to be the only expanded services and only one of four new services that Stage Two was to originally deliver," Ms Carmichael said.

"Added to that is the lack of increased beds required to meet future healthcare needs - as per the 2017 CSP - which was estimated to be 109 beds in 2021 and 129 beds by 2026."

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

Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news and regular newsletters