Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced the next phase of consultation for the redevelopment of the Murrumburrah-Harden Health Service.
Beginning on Wednesday, November 28, is the first in a series of sessions where members of the community can find out more about the redevelopment, as well as share opinions and insights.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for members of the Harden-Murrumburrah community to find out more about the plans and learn about improvements on the way for their local hospital,” Ms Cooke said.
“This project has been in the pipeline since 2014 and has already been subject to feedback from staff, the Local Health Advisory Committee and user groups.
“I encourage everybody to come along to find out what the Murrumburrah-Harden Health Service will include, and to share their thoughts,” Ms Cooke added.
The Murrumburrah-Harden Health Service is a purpose-built modern facility which will deliver health services using modern functionality for patients, residents, families, carers and clinicians.
It will deliver contemporary models of care in acute care, palliative care and rehabilitation, as well as emergency care.
The facility will maintain the same 33 beds of the existing service, including flexible inpatient beds which can be used for both residential and inpatient care, and will see no changes to staffing levels.
Starting life as a Multipurpose Health Service (MPS), the proposal morphed into a Health Service after being given the green light to go ahead earlier than initially planned.
While an MPS has a core focus on residential aged care, a Health Service focuses on acute, sub-acute and emergency care, with residential aged care included.
The plan would see the existing day care building be demolished, while the remainder of the existing buildings would not be required.
“This new, fit-for-purpose facility will be a one-stop health shop for the Harden Murrumburrah community,” Ms Cooke said.
“The plans for the older buildings have not been finalised, and community feedback on possible uses will be taken into account.
“I encourage everyone to speak up during the next round of consultation sessions and get involved in the future of the facility.”
The initial consultation is on Wednesday, November 28 at the Mechanics Institute Hall in Neill Street, from 11am to 3pm.
