Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison wants a site tour and inspection of the new Maitland hospital and wants answers to a number of questions about the development including how much funding has been spent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Aitchison, who has not been recently updated on the project, has asked Minister for Health and Medical Research, Brad Hazzard, to arrange a site tour/inspection of the $470million facility.
In a question on notice she has also asked if the project's stage 2 state significant development application, submitted in July, has been approved.
"I've had no formal briefing for a while now," Ms Aitchison said. "On a political level the problem is that the government has its own processes and I wasn't allowed to be on the Maitland Local Health Committee," she said. Maitland councillor and fellow Labor Party member Henry Meskauskas was on the committee but has been replaced by Liberal Councillor Sally Halliday. "I've not been invited to participate in any other consultations other than the public pop up exhibitions."
Ms Aitchison said Mr Hazzard has been open and receptive to issues raised by the community regarding the hospital. "He has been open about the big issues but it's the more detailed aspects we need to know about. That's why I'm asking questions."
She said some workers at the existing hospital have asked questions about things like hot desking arrangements. "While some are reluctant to experience change, I think there is always a risk when you're building a new piece of infrastructure that it doesn't consider important job requirements. If there's not enough consideration of people's issues they can become concerned about the impact of the change," Ms Aitchison said.
She has also asked: What complementary/private health care facilities will operate at the time of opening? Is the project on track to open early 2022? Is it on budget? How much funding has been spent? When do main works stage start?
A NSW Health Infrastructure spokesperson said the hospital is on track for completion early 2022 and is progressing on time and within budget. The main works contract is likely to be awarded in December. "The hospital will deliver a range of health services and increased capacity in the form of more beds and treatment spaces to meet community needs.
"The new hospital will be fully publicly funded and provide a broad range of health services and outpatient clinics including dental services. No private health care facilities have been confirmed to operate from the new campus," the spokesperson said. "The Stage 2 State Significant Infrastructure application was made for the project in September. Approval is expected soon.
