Community Kept in Dark on Manning Hospital Revamp

NSW Nationals

The NSW Nationals have called on the Minns Labor Government to quit stalling and get on with delivering the Manning Base Hospital redevelopment.

Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson met Minister Park's office on Monday morning, but said the conversation was a complete waste of time.

Mrs Thompson said the meeting confirmed what many in the community have feared – the Manning Base Hospital redevelopment is being delayed while essential services are quietly being sidelined.

"Our community deserves leadership that is focused on delivering equitable healthcare across the entire Hunter New England region, not just in the major centres," Mrs Thompson said.

Mrs Thompson said she was particularly alarmed by comments made during the meeting that cardiac services were not currently a priority for inclusion in the redevelopment.

"To hear that cardiac services are not considered a priority for our region is deeply concerning and completely out of touch with the needs of our growing community.

"People across the Manning and Myall Lakes region are tired of excuses."

The Myall Lakes electorate has one of the oldest demographics in NSW, placing enormous pressure on cardiac care.

Shadow Minister for Health and Regional Health, Sarah Mitchell, also raised serious concerns about the ongoing delay of the Urgent Care Centre for Forster.

"This Urgent Care Centre was meant to relieve pressure on the hospital and improve access to care for local families, yet we continue to see delay after delay with no clear answers."

"The Minns Labor Government must stop playing politics with regional healthcare. This is simply not good enough."

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