Richard Crookes Constructions’ David Archbold, Health Infrastructure’s senior project director Elise Miller, Temora Hospital facility manager Wendy Skidmore, MLHD CEO Jill Ludford, Minister for Health Ryan Park, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, MLC Stephen Lawrence and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman turn the first sod of the Temora Hospital redevelopment. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Following a nearly decade-long crusade by local politicians and stakeholders, the Temora Hospital’s $95 million redevelopment is underway.
It will contain significant inclusions, including an emergency department, an inpatient unit for flexible use for medical, surgical, rehabilitation, maternity, and palliative care patients, a birthing and nursery suite, an operating theatre and procedure room, allied health and ambulatory clinics with a gymnasium, community health and mental health services, drug and alcohol services and expanded medical imaging, including the hospital’s first CT machine and ultrasound service.
At an official ceremony marking the beginning of work, NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman addressed an enthusiastic crowd.
Ms Cooke detailed her experiences while in government and now in opposition on trying to get the hospital to this milestone.
“It’s been an absolute journey to get to this point, ” Ms Cooke said.
“It’s wonderful that we can be here today for something just so joyous. It’s been four years now since we got the ball rolling on this project. We’ve got a little way to go yet, but we will now start to see some real action out here, and I can’t wait to see this come together and be delivered for this community and for the broader district.
“We’re bringing in Richard Crookes (Constructions) for this project. We are thankful for the work that you did in Harden and up at Cowra. They are absolute game changers for those communities.
“It is going to revolutionise the way that we deliver healthcare throughout the Central West. And we’re so very glad to have you on board for this particular project.”
Minister for Health Ryan Park addressed the importance of restoring the nearly 90-year-old hospital and the role it plays in attracting healthcare workers to regional areas.
“We’ll expect construction to be complete and up and running around 2028, so over the next few years, this hospital will literally come out of the ground, a $95 million investment, the single largest investment in the hospital for many, many, many decades,” he said.
“I speak to a lot of junior clinicians and a lot of junior nursing and allied healthcare professionals and paramedics, and they say to me, new facilities count because it’s when they can do the most professional development.
“It’s how they can learn the new and innovative ways to deliver clinical healthcare. They’ve got to be using the latest devices and equipment, that matters, and we’ve got to address that, and we’ve got to be realistic about that.”
Mr Park explained his stance on providing funding to regional hospitals.
“It’s not OK for just the large metropolitan cities to get big investments in healthcare. These places need it too. We are responsible for servicing all the people of NSW.
“We’re not just servicing those living on the coast. I’ve got a priority and a real focus on making sure that wherever possible, we can deliver healthcare as close to where people live in regional, rural and remote NSW.
“Now that’s not always possible with everything available. I understand that that has its challenges, but it is a priority, and it’s going to continue to be a focus of mine over the next few years.”
Construction on the redeveloped hospital is expected to be completed in the second half of 2028.
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
