Patients and visitors to Orange Hospital will have more free parking options with 160 new spaces to be created at a cost of about $1 million.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Nationals Candidate for Orange Scott Barrett made the announcement in Orange today.

“We listened when patients and families told us they need more parking options. We understand accessible car parking is vital to ensuring a hospital visit is not made more stressful than it often is,” Mrs Skinner said.

“The 160 new spaces represent a 15% increase in available free parking options on campus, which I know will be great news for the community.”

Mr Barrett, who will contest the November 12 by-election, said: “There is no question hospital patients and their families need more parking options. I am proud to be part of the team delivering 160 extra parking spaces for our community.”

A first tranche off 77 spaces will be constructed by the NSW Government in partnership with Orange City Council on the northern boundary of Orange Hospital and at the rear of the Orange Ex-Services Club. These spaces are scheduled to be available for use early in the new year.

The second tranche of 83 spaces, funded by the NSW Government, is currently in the design and planning stage. Pending approval, construction is scheduled to begin next year. These spaces will service the oncology and ambulatory care departments.

Later today, Mrs Skinner and Mr Barrett toured the refurbished ambulatory care, oral health and renal units at Forbes Hospital, as part of the $40.9 million redevelopment.

The refurbished building houses outpatient services (including physiotherapy, dietetics, occupational therapy, speech pathology, child and family health and women’s health), counselling services (such as mental health, drug and alcohol), visiting specialists and pathology services.