26 October 2007

$1.9 million to enhance rural health services

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today announced an investment of $1.9 million over the next 12 months for enhancements to hospitals in rural NSW.

Ms Meagher said the funds - part of the Rural Health Minor Works Program - would help improve access to quality health care for people living in rural communities and help attract more doctors and nurses to work in rural NSW.

"The NSW Government is committed to improving access to health care services in rural NSW and delivering quality health care as close as safely possible to where people live.

"By improving our country health facilities we make our hospitals more attractive to doctors, nurses and allied health professionals and are better placed to attract and retain experienced staff," Ms Meagher said.

Ms Meagher said the recruitment and retention of health professionals in rural and remote areas was a significant challenge across the country.

"We are working hard to attract adequate numbers of qualified health professionals to work in rural communities," Ms Meagher said.

"This funding boost will help maintain and improve the working environment in many of our rural hospitals, making these hospitals more attractive to the health workforce."

Ms Meagher said the funding would benefit rural communities right across NSW.

The projects funded include:

• Moree Hospital - $100,000 to refurbish staff accommodation
• Tenterfield Hospital - $300,000 to renovate staff accommodation
• Wilcannia Hospital - $200,000 to refurbish existing staff accommodation and construction of new staff facilities
• Dubbo Hospital - $200,000 to enhance maternity services
• Moruya Hospital - $392,000 to improve patient drop off and car park areas
• Shoalhaven Hospital - $200,000 to purchase specialist equipment for obese patients
• Bombala MPS - $332,000 for new staff accommodation
• Lithgow Hospital - $120,000 for completion of roof repairs
• Lithgow Community Health Centre - $80,000 to install new air conditioning

Ms Meagher said the Iemma Government was continuing to invest in rural NSW.

"This additional funding builds on the NSW Government's record budget investing $3.69 billion in rural and regional NSW this year - an increase of $225 million or 6.5 per cent on last year," Ms Meagher said.

"The Iemma Government is also spending $237 million on major capital works projects throughout rural and regional NSW.

"The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to provide quality health care in rural NSW."

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au