Cowra Shire Council and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke will lobby NSW Health for a better new hospital, after the project's master plan was recently released.
The new hospital at this stage is set to be located behind the existing hospital, with the existing hospital to be demolished after completion of the new building and make way for parks and gardens and improved car parking.
The new hospital will feature modern and improved health care facilities in a great boost to the Cowra community, however Cowra Mayor Bill West said Council was concerned over the shortcomings in the Cowra Hospital Master Plan unveiled on 30th March by NSW Health.
He said the proposed reduction of a treatment bay in the Emergency Department, the reduction of a birthing suite and the reduction in treatment chairs in the Hospital Master Plan did not meet the Cowra community's expectations.
"Council will be advocating strongly to the NSW Government to ensure funding matches the needs of the community and the issues identified in the Clinical Services Plan," said Cr West.
The $70.2M Cowra Hospital Redevelopment was announced by the NSW Health Minister in February 2019, however Mr West said he was concerned inflated building costs since then may be the catalyst of some reductions in the Master Plan from the original Clinical Services Plan.
Ms Cooke said she would continue fighting to get Cowra the hospital it needed.
"I continue to advocate in the strongest possible terms to ensure we make the most of this opportunity and deliver a health facility the Cowra community expects and deserves," she said.
Community consultation sessions are currently scheduled for any member of the public to have their say, and Mr West said it was important for people to register for these and have their say. Health Infrastructure is holding additional community information sessions at the Cowra Civic Centre Foyer on Wednesday 27 April 2022, 12.30pm to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
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