NSW Budget: $341 million investment for Concord Hospital
Concord Hospital will get Australia’s first comprehensive care centre for Defence Force personnel and their families, additional inpatient capacity, enhanced ambulatory services and a new cancer centre, as part of a $341 million upgrade delivered in the 2017-18 NSW Budget.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard announced today that Concord Hospital would receive more than double the funding committed in 2015 due to the strong economic management of NSW under the Liberals & Nationals Government.
“These upgrades will deliver first-class health facilities for local people as well as the men and women of our Defence Forces and their families,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“These people have served their country and put their lives on the line to protect us, and they deserve the best health care we can provide for them.”
The 2017-18 NSW Budget allocates an additional $191 million on top of the $150 million committed in 2015.
The total spending is planned to deliver:
- a new comprehensive cancer centre
- additional inpatient capacity
- enhanced ambulatory care services
- enhancement and co-location of the ANZAC clinical research centre
- a new Defence Force Centre of Excellence providing services including mental health and well-being; drug and alcohol support; specialist pain management services, and rehabilitation services
- new ward accommodation for aged care, psychogeriatric and rehabilitation services
- associated rehabilitation facilities such as gymnasiums
Mr Perrottet said Concord Hospital had a long and proud history of innovative service to veterans, including the families of Australia’s returned servicemen and women.
“Concord Hospital will be able to deliver more and better services than ever before, benefiting not only Sydney’s Inner West but also all of NSW, thanks to the nation’s first comprehensive care centre for Defence Force personnel and their families,” Mr Perrottet said.
The Centre will provide specialist services for returned veterans and their families, including substance and alcohol misuse programs, mild traumatic brain injury services, specialist pain management services, rehabilitation services, psychological wellbeing services and family support services.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the funding would prepare Concord Hospital for the future.
“To all the doctors and nurses at Concord who have spoken to me - I’m very pleased to say that the World War II ramp wards will be consigned to history and be demolished,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The aged care and rehabilitation precinct is highly respected for its top-class patient care but is in need of a big revamp to keep up with the times – and we are making sure this happens as soon as possible.”
Early and enabling works are due to begin in the second half of the year.
Work will be managed carefully and in a staged way to minimise disruption to patients and staff and keep the hospital operating during construction.
Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti said: “I am thrilled that the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is delivering these incredible new facilities for what is already an amazing hospital.
“I’m proud to be part of a Government that is making such a huge difference for our community.”