Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison believes the government has no timetable, no model and no idea for the future of the Lower Hunter hospital at Metford.
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During question time in Parliament on Tuesday, Ms Aitchison asked Health Minister Jillian Skinner when the first patients would be treated at the hospital.
Ms Skinner replied, “When it is built.
“Even people in the gallery will know patients cannot be treated in a hospital that is not yet built.”
Ms Aitchison said the response was extremely arrogant and pointed to the fact that the government had no plan for the hospital.
“Ms Skinner has displayed a complete lack of respect towards the people of Maitland and a lack of regard for the future of health services in our region,” Ms Aitchison said.
“It is ridiculous to say it’s taken four years and they can’t tell us anything more than the $400 million it will cost to build the hospital.”
The Health Minister has since promised that work will begin on the new Maitland hospital in this term of government.
“The new Maitland hospital will be built at Metford, which is readily accessible for the people of Maitland and also convenient for other people in the Hunter Valley, who may need to be transferred or referred from their own local hospitals for more specialised treatment,” Ms Skinner said.
“Work will begin on the new Maitland hospital in this term of government.”
During the heated discussion at question time, Ms Skinner defended the Metford location for the hospital and said it would enable easier access from Port Stephens.
This was the first time Port Stephens has been mentioned as a draw area for the Lower Hunter hospital.
“Detailed planning for the hospital has taken into account that a number of Lower Hunter communities that will benefit from the new hospital and its services,” Ms Skinner said.
“The location of the new Maitland hospital closer to Newcastle and Raymond Terrace will result in some patients from those locations utilising the new hospital, taking pressure off John Hunter Hospital.”
Ms Aitchison said the comment meant that the government had no plan for this important piece of infrastructure.
“This is a great concern,” Ms Aitchison said.
“Especially if they close the existing hospital.
“It is quite unclear exactly what the government is trying to achieve.”
Ms Aitchison lodged a notice of motion to the legislative assembly on Wednesday, which called on the government to immediately release the full financial details and the construction timetable for the new Lower Hunter hospital.
During the heated discussion at question time, Ms Skinner defended the Metford location for the hospital and said it would enable easier access from Port Stephens.
This was the first time Port Stephens has been mentioned as a draw area for the Lower Hunter hospital.
“Detailed planning for the hospital has taken into account that a number of Lower Hunter communities that will benefit from the new hospital and its services,” Ms Skinner said.
“The location of the new Maitland hospital closer to Newcastle and Raymond Terrace will result in some patients from those locations utilising the new hospital, taking pressure off John Hunter Hospital.”
Ms Aitchison said the comment meant that the government had no plan for this important piece of infrastructure.
“This is a great concern,” Ms Aitchison said. “Especially if they close the existing hospital.
“It is quite unclear exactly what the government is trying to achieve.”
Ms Aitchison lodged a notice of motion to the legislative assembly yesterday, which called on the government to immediately release the full financial details and the construction timetable for the new Lower Hunter hospital.