13 June 2008

Budget boom for Nepean Hospital

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said Western Sydney families would benefit from the Iemma Government’s $1.34 billion investment to deliver better services and health infrastructure in the 2008-09 Budget.

Ms Meagher said health funding this year for the Sydney West Area Health Service provided an additional $51.3 million on last year’s budget.

The additional funding was announced by the Minister while visiting Nepean Hospital with Member for Penrith Karyn Paluzzano, Member for Mulgoa Diane Beamer and Member for Londonderry Alan Shearan.

“Additional beds at Nepean Hospital prove the Iemma Government’s commitment to providing additional health facilities to the people of Western Sydney,” Ms Meagher said.

The 2008-09 Budget for Nepean Hospital includes:

• 8 new acute care beds
• One adult Intensive Care bed
• One neo-natal Intensive Care cot
• $5.6 million to complete Nepean Hospital’s Pathways Home and Allied Health Project, known as the North Block redevelopment
• $2.5 million to continue planning for the Stage 3 development

“The North Block redevelopment involves a complete refurbishment of aged care, stroke and rehabilitation wards, for a total of 69 inpatient beds, including six new beds,” Ms Meagher said.

The North Block redevelopment at the hospital will deliver:

• Three refurbished, purpose-built in-patient facilities for aged care, stroke and rehabilitation patients
• An allied health therapy area, including outpatient clinic rooms
• A special dementia courtyard to provide comfort and help to patients with signs of dementia

“The new wards have a more open, less institutional feeling because they have been specifically designed by aged care and rehabilitation staff,” Ms Meagher said.

“The first new ward, an aged care rehabilitation ward, will be open by the end of June and will provide a completely refurbished, patient-friendly space for the care of older patients.

“This is a major capital investment for the upgrade of the Nepean health facility for local people and will lead into the next stage of development, which will see more than $80 million invested in additional capacity for the Nepean campus.

“This will include additional beds, extra operating theatres and expansions to the Intensive Care Unit and the Renal Dialysis Unit.”

The Minister also inspected the construction of Nepean Hospital’s new Medical Assessment Unit, which will help deliver faster, safer and better care for elderly patients and people with chronic disease.

“Our ageing population is stretching the resources of our health system which means we need to be innovative in the design and delivery of healthcare,” Ms Meagher said.

"By assessing, diagnosing and commencing treatment earlier, many of the patients in the Medical Assessment Unit are expected to be able to return to the comfort of their home environment within 48 hours, with appropriate clinical and community support.”

The MAU is expected to open by the end of July 2008.

“This Budget delivers on the Iemma Government’s commitment to the growing population of Western Sydney,” Ms Meagher said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au