Mike Kelly has promised more money for Pambula Hospital to assist in a return of emergency services that were lost after the opening of the South East Regional Hospital, and the development of the facility into an MPS (Multi-Purpose Service).
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Speaking outside the hospital on Saturday morning, Dr Kelly said an elected Shorten Labor government would put $2million on the table to achieve this goal in addition to the $1.6million that had already been promised for new work at Pambula Hospital.
“If the state government will match that with the $7.4million estimated to be needed to transform this facility to an expanded MPS with emergency response capabilities, we would leave it to the NSW government and community to design and specify the nature of services that would be part of that facility,” Dr Kelly said.
He said expanded community health, day care and aged care were some of the other services that had been indicated were needed.
“I know Andrew Constance has been particularly focused on trying to resolve the future of the hospital here. I look forward, if elected, to be able to work with Andrew Constance to make that a reality.
“I believe that Pambula Hospital does have a future and should be tailored to support the needs of this community. I know that emergency response is very important especially at the peaks of the tourism season.
“We’re talking about an MPS style structure and arrangement but making sure that emergency response is part of that,” Dr Kelly said.
“I want to ensure Pambula Hospital continues to offer the best complementary services possible alongside the new SERH. Labor has listened to local concerns regarding the accessibility of a range of health services, tailored to the specific needs of the Pambula, Merimbula and Eden communities. These services should integrate with the new regional hospital.”
Asked about the difficulty in getting doctors to staff emergency facilities, Dr Kelly said he was keen to see health professionals “incentivised” and part of that was adequate facilities.
