NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner, federal member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker and member for Oxley Melinda Pavey, today officially opened Kempsey Hospital’s new clinical services building - the centrepiece of the hospital’s $81.9 million redevelopment.
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The upgrade was funded equally by the Coalition state and Labor federal governments, with the Commonwealth component coming from the Health and Hospitals Fund negotiated by then Lyne MP, Rob Oakeshott.
Although patients have been treated in the new building since December, today’s official opening marked the end of four years’ detailed planning and construction work.
“Kempsey Hospital staff have always delivered high-quality health care to the community and now they have a state-of-the-art facility to match,” Ms Skinner said.
“This major redevelopment is about so much more than bricks and mortar.
"It has delivered new and expanded services to a community with changing and complex health needs - the recurrent costs of which will be covered by the NSW government.”
Kempsey Hospital’s new clinical services building includes an expanded emergency department and emergency medical unit, acute inpatient unit, expanded high dependency and coronary care unit, operating theatres, expanded day surgery unit, a medical imaging department and selected clinical support services.
The redevelopment has also delivered new and reconfigured car parking for patients, visitors and staff and a new main entrance off Polwood Street.
Mr Hartsuyker said the hospital will look after local patients’ needs into the future.
“Patients are now receiving their care in one of the most modern and sophisticated hospitals in the state. I congratulate hospital staff and those involved in the redevelopment for delivering it to them,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
Ms Pavey said Kempsey is one of the NSW government’s proudest health achievements.
“I visited the hospital many times during construction and I’m pleased the community is seeing the benefits of this major upgrade, complete with beautiful indigenous art and light-filled spaces throughout,” Ms Pavey said.
While today’s celebrations focus on the new hospital building, refurbishment works continue on the integrated community care centre, renal dialysis services, a new renal training unit, oral health services and several primary health care and community services, due for completion by mid-2016.
Kempsey Hospital’s redevelopment is jointly-funded by the NSW government’s $41.9 million and the Commonwealth’s $40 million under the Health and Hospitals Fund.
