The NSW Premier Mike Baird and Health Minister Jillian Skinner visited the Central Coast on Friday, June 20, to celebrate an investment of almost $3 million to continue the planning and preparation for the major redevelopment of Gosford Hospital – a project anticipated to be worth more than $350 million.
Mr Baird and Mrs Skinner were joined by Minister for the Central Coast Rob Stokes and Member for Gosford Chris Holstein to mark the NSW Government’s commitment to the Gosford Hospital upgrade and the funding announcement in the 2014- 15 Budget. Mr Baird said the project would transform the way health care is delivered to the Central Coast community.
“The redevelopment of Gosford Hospital is a priority for the NSW Government and $2.7 million has been allocated to get the project going this year,” Mr Baird said. “This major upgrade will deliver a new emergency department, intensive care and high dependency unit expansion, improved operating theatres, maternity services and more inpatient beds for medical, acute and sub-acute services.
“Clinical and non-clinical support services and car parking will also be boosted. “Enabling works for the redevelopment will begin on site later this year and planning is scheduled for completion in March 2015.
“The new Gosford Hospital will be a facility the people of the Central Coast can be proud of,” Mr Baird said. Gosford Hospital was built in 1945 and the last major upgrade was in 2006. In 2012/13 there were 57,964 presentations to Gosford’s emergency department with close to 59,000 presentations in 2013/14. It is consistently among the 10 busiest emergency departments in NSW.
Mrs Skinner said the $2.7 million allocation follows the $1.8 million investment made by the NSW Government last December to plan the major upgrade of both Gosford and Wyong hospitals. “Gosford Hospital delivers fantastic care and comfort to patients from across the region but it is a tired facility in need of a major upgrade,” Mrs Skinner said.
“The Central Coast continues to grow and we want Gosford Hospital to be able to care for this community well into the future, which is why this redevelopment is vital. “Gosford Hospital has cared for the Central Coast for decades and now it is time for the NSW Government to care for Gosford Hospital.”
Mrs Skinner said about 250 clinicians and community members have been involved in the planning process to inform the size and scope of the redevelopment, with further consultation to come. “Finally, (when the redevelopment is completed) clinicians at Gosford will be able to deliver their first-class care in a first-class facility,” Mrs Skinner said.
“Bricks and mortar are incredibly important but a hospital is nothing without the soul inside – its clinicians. “I thank Gosford Hospital’s doctors, nurses and other staff who have been delivering great care in trying conditions.” Mr Stokes welcomed the announcement, saying it is part of a suite of good news for the Central Coast.”
Mr Holstein said Gosford Hospital is at the very heart of the Central Coast community. “Gosford Hospital is a place where we have welcomed our babies and said goodbye to our loved ones. “It deserves attention and TLC which is why I’m so pleased to see the NSW Government investing in this great facility,” Mr Holstein said.
“This is a momentous occasion for Gosford Hospital and its clinicians – I thank them for the incredible work they do. “More milestones will be marked on this project over the coming year and I look forward to celebrating them with the community,” Mr Holstein said.
Media release,
20 Jun 2014
Imre Salusinszky, offi ce of
Rob Stokes