The community of Broken Hill will soon benefit from new Key Health Worker Accommodation, the first to be delivered in the Far West Local Health District as part of the Minns Labor Government's $200.1 million program.
The new accommodation will help attract and retain essential healthcare workers to the region.
The property, which is in walking distance to Broken Hill Hospital, includes three bedrooms and a covered carport.
It is currently undergoing final completion works to ensure it will be fit-for-purpose and comfortable for healthcare workers.
The Far West is one of one of nine local health districts to benefit from the Minns Government's investment to deliver accommodation for health workers under the Key Health Worker Accommodation Program.
The funding includes the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters, and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.
This investment builds on the $45.3 million in accommodation for key healthcare workers in the Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW, and Far West Local Health Districts, which is now complete with all units delivered and now fully operational. As a part of this funding, 20 new self-contained units were delivered at the Broken Hill Health Service.
The Minns Government is investing in a multi-faceted approach to increase access to care in our regional, rural and remote communities, including by:
- Investing $83 million to boost maternity care in the bush;
- doubling rural health incentives for our hardest to fill roles;
- delivering study subsidies for regional health workers;
- boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model; and
- delivering an extra 500 regional paramedics.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"We're committed to strengthening our regional, rural and remote workforce and this project is vital because we know that affordable, accessible accommodation is critical to attracting staff in regional and rural areas.
"Healthcare workers are the backbone of our regional and rural communities, which is why we're heavily investing in this dedicated accommodation to support them in these areas."
Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Barwon Stephen Lawrence:
"The provision of accommodation close to work is a major drawcard for healthcare workers potentially looking to take up work in the regions.
"This targeted housing will ensure that the far west continues to attract the healthcare workers they need now and into the future."
