The New South Wales government has committed to opening the new Eurobodalla Hospital as a level four facility as campaigning ramps up ahead of the Bega and Monaro by-elections.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard made the announcement at Batemans Bay on Friday alongside the Liberal candidate for the state seat of Bega, Fiona Kotvojs.
Community members and the NSW Opposition had raised concerns in the past that the hospital would not open as a level four facility, but Mr Hazzard made assurances that it would.
"The new hospital will be up and running by 2025," he said.
The state government has committed $260 million dollars to build the facility in Moruya.
Hazzard hoses down fears
Bega by-election Labor candidate Michael Holland has been an outspoken advocate for the Eurobodalla Hospital and other health services.
He has previously called out the state government for not committing to opening the facility at level four, saying it would greatly impact the region's older population.
"If I was over 65, I would be very worried that the new hospital hasn't started and won't have level four services for years after opening," Dr Holland said.
"What will happen if you get cancer, need a hip replacement or need [intensive care]?"
But Mr Hazzard dismissed the concerns raised by Labor and made it clear the Coalition was working hard to ensure all the requirements were met.
"We're building to level four standards in every aspect," he said.
Second facility announced
The state government has also announced it will spend $20m to build a new HealthOne facility in Batemans Bay following a commitment last year from former Bega MP Andrew Constance to spend $300,000 on planning.
Southern NSW Local Health District chief executive Margaret Bennet said the new facility would streamline health services for Eurobodalla residents.
"A HealthOne facility is a building that enables the co-location of a whole range of primary health services," she said.
"We would have space in this building also for virtual care."
The state government said it had not decided on a location for the HealthOne facility in Batemans Bay, but committed to opening it before the new Eurobodalla Hospital in 2025.
