Medical and emergency services across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven are set for a major boost with the Morrison Government delivering $128 million for the redevelopment of Shellharbour Hospital.
The upgrades to the 33 year old facility will help streamline patient and acute medical services and offer more ambulance services.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Shellharbour had a growing and ageing population set to jump by 24 per cent by 2031 that the redeveloped Hospital would care for.
"Our plan for a stronger economy means we can make this $128 million investment to bring the Hospital redevelopment to life and deliver world class health services to the region," the Prime Minister said.
"We're giving patients the health care they need closer to home.
"We're backing the health projects that will provide high quality and effective care for the people of NSW."
The hospital serves as an active but short-term treatment facility providing emergency services, elective surgical services, general medical, antenatal and primary family health care, satellite renal dialysis and adolescent and adult mental health services on site.
The redeveloped facility will also reduce pressure on Wollongong Hospital.
"The population here in the Southern Illawarra has increased considerably in the last few years and its essential we continue to invest in services to match our growing community. I am committed to improving our local health care facilities in Gilmore and this funding injection to expand Shellharbour Hospital will be a huge boost," Liberal candidate for Gilmore Warren Mundine said.
"This upgrade will mean Shellharbour Hospital can expand its role as an acute and sub-acute service hub for the Southern Illawarra community.
"Only the Morrison Government can deliver a strong economy to ensure we can invest in essential services like this upgrade of Shellharbour Hospital."
Nationals Candidate for Gilmore Katrina Hodgkinson said; "This investment will make a real difference. Shellharbour has both a growing and ageing population and we need to invest in the best local facilities to meet our health care needs. The Morrison Government is committed to improving health care throughout Australia and building a world class health system.
"Through locally targeted funding support, we can ensure NSW is better equipped to tackle key health challenges of concern to people in the region."
The Liberal National Government is delivering record funding to NSW public hospitals and the Berejiklian Government has committed $250.6 million towards the redevelopment of the hospital.
Under the Liberal National Government funding for NSW public hospitals will increase by 59 per cent from $4.3 billion in 2012-13 to $6.8 billion in 2019-20 and is then on track to increase to $8.8 billion by 2024-25. GP Bulk billing is at record levels and the Coalition has added more than 2,000 new and amended medicines listings to the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme.
In the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District the Liberal National Government has boosted funding by 113 per cent from $134.6 million under the previous Labor Government to $287 million in 207-18. GP Bulk Billing has grown from 82 per cent bin 2012-13 to 86 per cent in 2017-18.
The funding of $128 million to Shellharbour Hospital is part of $534.4 million in new health fudning announced by the Morrison Government at Budget and funded through the $1.25 billion Community Health and Hospitals Fund and related measures. That includes $65 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Westmead, $100 million for the Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre at Randwick, $95 million for new MRIs and $18 million for the Central Coast.
The Government's strong economic management ensures the continued record investment into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.
