Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-103094

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment

Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD (Myall Lakes) (17:21:45):

I inform the House of the progress of the redevelopment of Manning Base Hospital. I thank the nurses, doctors and ancillary staff who do such a fantastic job at that hospital. The number of people attending that hospital continues to rise year in, year out. My office receives an enormous number of compliments about its staff. I am fighting for the funding of stage 2 of the hospital upgrade, which includes a new ward building and more beds. We have a real need for wards and an increased number of beds. I call on the Government and the Minister for Health to provide funding for stage 2. In May 2018 I was pleased that when the Cabinet came to the Manning Valley and Forster an announcement was made of a further $20 million for stage 1 redevelopment of the hospital.

A couple of years ago $20 million was provided for the stage 1 redevelopment for a new oncology unit, a new renal dialysis unit, a new multi-storey car park and a further underground car park. The additional $20 million will provide a new level above the oncology renal dialysis. The hospital intends to move the medical imaging and pharmacy on to that floor. Recently I spoke with the nurses at the nurses' award ceremony who said they are very happy with what is happening at the hospital. There is more to a hospital than bricks and mortar. We can have the greatest building in the world but it is about the services provided inside. Some of the greatest medical services have been performed in tents in battle zones. I am pleased to say that this Government has increased recurring funding at the hospital by 28 per cent. The hospital has 26 more staff than it had when we came into Government and, adding casuals, that increases it to 60 additional staff.

A few weeks ago I was pleased to meet six new staff appointments to the Manning Hospital: two new intensive care specialists, a rehabilitation specialist, a psychiatrist, a new director of emergency and an anaesthetist. That is fantastic and shows that we are not only redeveloping the hospital but also employing more staff and improving service provision. Dr Rob Hislop is an intensive care staff specialist. He is a Fellow of the College of Intensive Care Medicine and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He is a man with significant experience and qualifications. Dr Brij Verma is also an intensive care specialist. He originally came to the Manning Hospital as a locum for 18 months after completing his medical degree in 1996. Dr Ganashan has been appointed to Wingham Hospital as the rehabilitation specialist. The Wingham Hospital performs a unique rehabilitation service. Patients from Hastings, Macleay and areas north of my electorate travel to the Wingham Hospital for specialist rehabilitation treatment.

Dr Charles Estibiero has been appointed as a staff specialist psychiatrist working full-time with Manning Mental Health Services. He is working towards a fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Dr Omar has been appointed Director of Emergency at Manning Hospital while Dr Jim Wills is on long service leave. I pay tribute to Dr Jim Wills, who is a great doctor. Dr Stefan Lang has been appointed as a staff specialist anaesthetist at Manning Hospital. Those appointments show the Government's commitment to health in this State and to the Manning Great Lakes area.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:26:49):

I thank the member for Myall Lakes for his tireless efforts in pursuit of funding on behalf of his community to improve the facilities and services offered at the Manning Hospital and across his electorate, fast-tracking the $40 million redevelopment of the Manning Hospital. He has stood in this Chamber at every parliamentary session—and I have sat at the table and listened to him—and championed his local community, seeking $40 million for redevelopment of the hospital, which will deliver for the communities of the Manning Valley and Taree. The member for Myall Lakes should be very happy with the redevelopment of the hospital. From the beach to the bush, from regional to rural, from Sydney to right across New South Wales—it does not matter where—the Government is rebuilding many of our local hospitals, including my own St George Hospital, which has seen extensive redevelopment since this Government was elected in 2011.