ANNOUNCEMENT: NSW Premier Mike Baird announces the plans at Nepean Hospital today.Workwill begin immediately to upgrade Nepean Hospital’s emergency department as part of a $550 million redevelopment announced today (Monday) by the state government.
NSW Premier Mike Baird visited the hospital to make the announcement, which will see a paediatric assessment and treatment area and a safe assessment room established in the emergency department, as well as the upgrade of the mobile duress systems and CCTV.
A new $26 million car park will also be delivered in addition to the $550 million worth of works.
“[This is] a $550 million upgrade to deliver the facilities that this community expects and deserves,” Mr Baird told reporters. “We will be delivering a world class hospital right here in Nepean that will continue to serve the catchment across western Sydney.
“This hospital …is long overdue for the sort of upgrade we’ve announced, we’ve done the work, we’ve secured the funding, and now we’re going to get on with it.”
Under the plans, chemotherapy chairs will be doubled from 15 to 30, the hospital’s MRI will be replaced, and planning for a third radiotherapy bunker and additional linear accelerator for cancer services will also be delivered.
A new helicopter landing pad will also be constructed.
An artist’s impression of the works at today’s media conference.
But the Opposition claimed the government had been“dragged kicking and screaming” into making the announcement, under pressure from staff, the community and the ALP.
There were alsoquestions surrounding whether the redevelopment would deliver a hospital big enough for the future.
Chair of the hospital Medical Staff Council, Dr Nhi Nguyen, told reporters doctors and nurses had spent “a lot of time” in the planning process and a clinical services plan had been submitted to the ministry.
“One of the biggest concerns for us is the projections in regards to the growing population and what we see every day hasn’t been fully factored in,” she told reporters. “At the moment the projections don’t include the increase in housing that will occur as a result of Badgerys Creek [airport].
“So when we talk about a build that takes us to 2025without that population projection, we already are worried that it’s not going to be enough.”
But Mr Baird and Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the government was “investing at record levels” and had already delivered, with continuous work on the site since coming to office.
Chair of the hospital Medical Staff Council, Dr Nhi Nguyen, speaks to media after today’s announcement.
“You can’t just make these sort of announcements, you have to do the planning work and there is significant planning work that goes into it,” he said. “We allocated the planning money to undertake that, we have been doing that, and obviously this is the culmination of that work.”
Mrs Skinner said the announcement was the second biggest by the government since 2011, and was the result of careful planning that would also utilise the network of care provided by surrounding facilities.
“Our planning always takes into account future projected growth for the foreseeable future but also new models of care, the networking with other hospitals,” she said.
“The model of care has changed, we provide services in different ways and that’s what we’ve taken into account in coming up with these fantastic new designs for this spectacular building.”
Opposition Health Spokesman Walt Secord, said the announcement was made to save Penrith MP Stuart Ayres following the deposing of former Lindsay Liberal MP, Fiona Scott, at this year’s federal election.
“This announcement is only about saving Jillian Skinner and Stuart Ayres,” he told reporters at a press conference outside the hospital. “We will be watching this project carefully.We will be making sure the Baird Government sticks to its timetable and actually delivers.”
Londonderry MP Prue Car said the community had “forced” the government into making the announcement.
“We all know this announcement only occurred because of overwhelming community pressure,” she said.
Mr Ayres said the announced ensured western Sydney had access to “world-class health facilities matched with world class health care”.
“This is the growth corridor in NSW with the strongest population growth and the strongest demand for health care,” he said. “Today is a massive step in making sure for the first time this community gets ahead of the game when it comes to delivering health care.
“It’s taken far too long to get to this point, but we have dealt with what has been an historical under investment.”
Penrith MP Stuart Ayres, Mulgoa MP Tanya davies, Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Premier Mike Baird at today’s announcement.
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