A Brighter Future Awaits Our Blue Mountains Hospital

After a hard fought campaign and a change in Government, the Blue Mountains ANZAC Memorial Hospital has been thrown a lifeline, with the Minns Labor Government committing $25 million in the 2023 September budget.

After nearly 100 years of service to the community, our hospital in Katoomba has been left in a shocking state by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government despite the hard work of the fabulous staff. Under their watch, parts of our local hospital were left to become so dilapidated that they have been deemed "uninhabitable."

At last we're seeing some meaningful action. The Minns Government and NSW Health Minister have listened to the pleas of our healthcare workers, ancillary staff and the community, with $25 million in funding to deliver:

• Funding for the planning of facility redevelopment to take place within the next 12 months as part of a comprehensive refresh and review of the Clinical Services Plan at both Katoomba and Springwood Hospitals.
• Essential infrastructure works to replace the roof and repair dilapidated areas of Blue Mountains Hospital and deliver the following additional upgrades in the meantime:
• An upgrade of BMDAMH’s imaging department
• An upgrade of the Emergency Department, including associated equipment, medical and nursing staff at specified levels
• Funding for an Ambulatory Care Unit, Infusion and Chemotherapy Services, Endoscopic Suite, expanded Palliative care, Cardiology, Neurology and Haemodialysis services

This is a win for staff at the Hospital who've in the past felt overworked, overstressed, and undervalued. Our patients, staff, and the community deserve local services that fulfil our healthcare needs and a facility that meets higher standards - I'm thrilled that this process is finally underway.