Communities across the Eurobodalla are one step closer to receiving expanded health services as construction for the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital reaches its highest point.
The purpose-built hospital will be a modern, world-class health facility, which will improve access to a range of health services, reducing the need for people to travel outside the region and help meet the growing needs of the Eurobodalla Shire, from Narooma to Batemans Bay.
When complete, the new hospital will bring a range of enhanced health services under one roof, supporting better patient care and greater capacity for the Eurobodalla community.
The new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be established as a Level 4 health facility and is expected to be complete in 2027. It will include:
- an Emergency Department with capacity larger than combined services at the current Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals.
- an 8-bed Intensive Care Unit/Close Observation Unit
- increased access to chemotherapy treatments and renal dialysis
- surgical and operating theatres, including a day stay surgical unit
- expanded medical imaging department, including MRI
- ambulatory care for the community and outpatient services
- paediatric and maternity services, and a special care nursery
- mental health beds for short-term care
With the structural works now complete, the project team will continue the hospital's internal fit-out, services and facade installation and external works.
The new hospital's design has been developed in close consultation with local health staff, clinicians and the community.
More Triage category 2 emergency patients are being treated on time in the Southern NSW Local Health District, up by 6.2 percentage points compared to three years ago under the Liberals.
Ramping also improved by over 11 percentage points compared to three years ago under the Liberals.
The Liberals opposed building Eurobodalla Hospital as a level four facility.
While Southern NSW grappled with high hospital wait times under the Liberals, the Liberals planned to sack over 26 FTE nurses from the local health district, while suppressing wages for over a decade.
In addition to the new hospital, the Minns Labor Government is investing $24 million in health worker housing in southern NSW, to help attract recruit and retain more healthcare workers to the region.
This investment is part of a broader $200.1 million program and will deliver key worker housing for staff at the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.
For more information visit: www.nsw.gov.au/new-eurobodalla-regional-hospital
Quotes attributable to Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:
"This $330 million hospital in Eurobodalla will be a game changer for healthcare, and it's desperately needed for this growing and ageing region.
"The community has been calling for world class services for a long time, and Dr Holland has been a tireless advocate demanding this region gets its fair share.
"The enhanced services at this new hospital will mean fewer patients will have to travel to Canberra or Bega to receive the complex care they need."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"This is a significant milestone for the entire Eurobodalla community, marking considerable progress on one of the largest health infrastructure projects in the region's history.
"This purpose-built hospital is an example of how we are delivering enhanced and world-class healthcare closer to people's front door and meeting the future health needs of regional communities.
"We're investing more in health than any other time in our state's history. More staff, more hospitals, lower wait times - it's as simple as that.
"The Liberals refused to open Eurobodalla Hospital as a level four facility and we know they have had a poor track record of delivering health infrastructure on time."
Quotes attributable to Member for Bega, Dr. Michael Holland:
"This new hospital is a key investment in the health and wellbeing of our region.
"The new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital has been designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, visitors and staff, with features such as inpatient rooms with ensuites, palliative care rooms, family spaces and beautifully landscaped gardens.
"With construction moving ahead, there are now over 200 workers on site each day, helping to deliver this state-of-the-art health facility and providing a real boost for local jobs and skills."
