The Richmond Network, which includes Lismore Hospital, has just received a boost in nursing and midwifery care, with 27 graduates choosing to launch their careers at health services across the North Coast region.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and Member for Lismore Thomas George today personally congratulated the new nurses and midwives, who will be working across the Richmond Network.
Mr Hazzard and Mr George also toured the Lismore Base Hospital, getting a sneak peak of the soon-to-be-completed “South Tower” which is part of the more than $320 million redevelopment of the hospital.
“I can’t think of a better place than the beautiful Northern Rivers in which to start a nursing or midwifery career. I am delighted to welcome these new recruits to what will surely be a very rewarding job caring for our local patients,” Mr George said.
“I wish all our new starters the very best of luck with their careers and thank them for choosing to make such an invaluable contribution to our local hospital and health services.”
The Northern NSW Local Health District will employ 75 nurse and midwife graduates this year out of the more than 2400 across the State.
“It’s very exciting for the nurses and midwives who will soon be doing the rounds of Lismore Base Hospital that they will get to work in modern, expanded health facilities,” Mr Hazzard said.
The NSW Government is proud to have achieved a record all-time high of some 51,000 nurses and midwives working across the state.
The NSW Government is investing $9.8 million in 2017-18 to recruit 55 more specialist nurses and midwives, 10 mental health clinical nurse educators to support new graduates and undergraduates as well as 30 clinical support officers for nurses and midwifery services.
Lismore Base Hospital’s $320 million redevelopment is progressing on schedule, with the new Central Sterilisation Services Department and new Theatre Complex, both opening soon, marking the completion of South Tower.
The theatre complex will expand from four to nine theatres, as well as additional surgical services to meet future demand.
The NSW Government is delivering on the additional $52.5 million announced in last year’s Budget for Stage 3C for an extra four levels for the eight-level North Tower, with demolition works now underway to make way for its construction.