12 June 2008

Health investment delivers more beds for Shellharbour Hospital

People living in the Shellharbour community will have better access to quality healthcare at Shellharbour Hospital following the announcement of an additional six acute care beds for the hospital in the 2008-09 State Health Budget.

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the six local hospital beds were part of a $12.9 million investment to provide an extra 52 acute care beds in hospitals across NSW.

“The $13.15 billion State Health Budget is aimed at better managing chronic illnesses in the community so that our public hospitals can continue to provide priority access for those people who need acute care,” Ms Meagher said.

“In Shellharbour we’re delivering on that commitment with extra beds for Shellharbour Hospital, improving access to acute hospital care for those patients who need to be admitted to hospital.”

Funding for Shellharbour Hospital in the 2008-09 Health Budget includes:

• Six additional acute care beds
• $3.2 million for the establishment of child and adolescent mental health services
• $1 million to complete the 20-bed non-acute mental health unit

Member for Shellharbour Lylea McMahon said funding for additional beds at Shellharbour Hospital is fantastic news for people living in Shellharbour and the surrounding communities.

“South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service is currently recruiting for additional staff to support the extra beds and an area of the hospital is being refurbished,” Ms McMahon said.

“The additional beds are expected to be in place next month, which is great news.”

Ms McMahon said the local health spending was part of a $1.79 billion investment in South East Sydney Illawarra Health Service that would benefit the local community.

Visiting Shellharbour Hospital, Ms Meagher said that the capacity for training new physicians in the Illawarra had received a boost with the restoration of specialist training and support services at Shellharbour.

“The Royal Australasian College of Physicians has restored Shellharbour Hospital’s training status for the next 12 months after a rigorous accreditation process,” Ms Meagher said.

“This accreditation means that Shellharbour Hospital is able to train and support new physicians at a local level.

“South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service is currently recruiting additional specialist physicians to expand supervision and training for junior staff, and in turn provide additional on-site services at Shellharbour Hospital,” said Ms Meagher.

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