The Grand Opening Of The Mudgee Hospital Extension

Post date: May 28, 2020 1:30:30 AM

The new Mudgee Hospital officially opened at 8am yesterday, with the first delivery of a baby boy in the maternity ward born just after 1pm yesterday.

The major project that was announced in the lead up to the 2015 State Election by the then Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, was to be officially opened later this year.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the country, the opening and final construction was brought forward recently by the State's Health Minister.

Health Service Manager, Caren Harrison, spoke to RealFM/2MG yesterday morning after the official opening, and has asked people not come to the hospital “just for a visit”, due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Current member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders, says it’s great to see that the new hospital is operational, providing the district with extra capacity to manage the potential impacts of COVID-19.

“The new facility will enable Mudgee’s highly valued health staff to provide the very best care to the community for years to come, and is particularly important right now during this pandemic.”

Mr Saunders also says “investment in health in our rural communities is vital. The value of hospitals to our communities extends far beyond healthcare".

"Developments like this one in Mudgee provide positive economic and social flow-on effects within regional communities.”

The $70.7 million Mudgee Hospital Development includes an emergency department and ambulatory care, a maternity unit, general medical and surgical units, a peri-operative service, as well as oral health, renal dialysis and oncology services.

The hospital will also have a CT scanner, a first for the Mudgee health service. This will dramatically reduce the amount of transfers outside of the hospital for CT scans.