Now that the State Budget process has been finalised, MidCoast Mayor Cr Pontin is urging the Health Minister to include funding for the complete redevelopment of Manning Hospital in next year's budget.
"Not only does the Stage 2 work need additional funding to provide the full suite of services but discussions need to start now on the money required to complete Stage 3 as well," she said.
The Mayor has explained in a letter to the Minister that Manning Hospital is "not fit for purpose" and in a steady state of decline due to inadequate infrastructure funding from previous State Governments and that this has not been adequately addressed by the current Government.
"The residents of this area know full well that they were neglected by the previous government and now they fear that this government will also continue this pattern. This would be neither fair nor equitable," the Mayor said.
"The ageing and increasing population of the MidCoast area points to the need for improved and increased levels of service, especially for cardiovascular care, not further under-servicing.
"I have also written to the State Member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson, urging the MP to join the call for improved health facilities and services for MidCoast residents well ahead of next year's budget decisions."
