Locals now have the opportunity to view plans of the new Dubbo Hospital with the launch of schematic designs for the $79.8 million redevelopment.

The detailed designs highlight the development of improved health services and facilities for the local community. Locals can see firsthand how the new hospital will look and importantly how new services will be provided.

The NSW Government has contributed $72.7m towards the project, which was complemented by a Federal commitment of $7.1m from the Regional Priority Health and Hospitals Fund.

When stage one and two of the redevelopment is complete, the hospital will have:

• Six new operating theatres
• A new maternity ward with 17 beds, birthing rooms and eight special care nursery cots.
• An extended day surgery unit
• 15 day surgery beds
• 14 renal chairs
• A home dialysis training area, with access for people who are on home dialysis but away from home and staying in Dubbo.

The redevelopment will secure Dubbo Hospital as the major rural referral centre and acute care hospital for speciality services to meet the growing demands of the area.

The launch of these schematic designs for the new hospital is a significant milestone for the project and locals are encouraged to view them at the Centro Dubbo and Orana Mall.

Main construction is anticipated to begin in early 2013 and the completion of the hospital redevelopment is scheduled for late 2014.