The Minns Labor Government will invest an additional $26.5 million to upgrade Cessnock Hospital as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget, bringing the total investment in the redevelopment to $138 million.
This is part of $3.4 billion the NSW Government will invest in 2024-25 to upgrade hospitals and health facilities as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget.
This investment is to ensure the Cessnock Hospital redevelopment committed to by the NSW Government is finalised on time despite increases in the cost of construction over recent years.
Key new investments in the 2024-25 NSW Budget also includes $250 million in a critical maintenance program at hospitals and health facilities across NSW.
For too long, people across NSW have had to travel too far and wait too long to receive quality healthcare after a decade of underinvestment by the former government.
This funding boost will improve access to high-quality health care, by delivering much needed upgraded health infrastructure and technology, in particular focusing on the parts of the state that need it most.
The budget will prioritise building better communities for NSW – ensuring that there is the right level of health infrastructure and health service to improve the lives and wellbeing of all communities across NSW.
The NSW Government is committed to continuing to build on previous investments in important infrastructure projects for the state, including upgrading and maintaining essential health services, to provide residents with the safest and high-quality health care service they deserve to improve their wellbeing.
Regional Health Minister, Ryan Park said:
“Our health system faces significant challenges after 12 years of neglect by the Liberal and National governments, but we are making the diligent decision to invest in critical health infrastructure to ensure we have the essential health services the people of NSW rely on.”
“By investing in critical health infrastructure, we will deliver on our promise to provide better healthcare in NSW, by expanding health services in these growing communities, so patients can access the best medical treatments close to home.”
Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“This additional funding for Cessnock Hospital is very welcome with the cost of everything going up, in particular the cost of building materials and workers have really increased.”
“After months of working towards and attending multiple meetings for extra dollars towards the rebuild I am ecstatic that the Cessnock Hospital redevelopment will receive an additional $26.5 million to bring us back to a plan that more closely resembles the first option put to us for the redevelopment.”
“The Cessnock Hospital redevelopment that is to be undertaken will have the potential for future expansion, in addition to that, the current NSW Government is investing in health undertaking a massive drive towards training and recruitment of our health workforce, including pay and partial funding to go towards study costs.”
“The NSW Government is committed to upgrading and maintaining essential health services to best serve our community.”