The NSW Government today announced at least $50 million for the rebuild of Tumut Hospital to provide a modern health care service for the local community.

The funding brings the total health funding from the NSW Government for the Wagga Wagga electorate to nearly half a billion dollars since 2011.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the rebuild of Tumut Hospital is expected to get underway in 2019.

“This is fantastic news for the community. We want to ensure the residents of Tumut and surrounding areas are cared for in the most modern facilities,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The master planning, which is already underway, is considering that the Tumut Hospital rebuild will include:

• emergency department
• inpatient beds including for rehabilitation and maternity
• rehabilitation clinical support services
• operating theatre complex and day surgery
• quiet room for family caring for palliative care patients
• Wellness Centre for enhanced community health/mental health and drug and alcohol clinical consultation services
• ambulatory and outpatient services (including renal dialysis and Hospital in the Home treatment area, outpatient rehabilitation, specialist clinics, dental and primary care services)
• support services including radiology, pharmacy and pathology.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said this rebuild will mean more local patients can receive the care they need closer to home, which also reduces the stress on family and caregivers.

“An added bonus will be that new facilities may also assist in attracting skilled health professionals to move to the region as has often been the case in other regional areas when hospitals have been redeveloped,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Unlike Labor, who made promises in health and never delivered, you only need to look at our $431 million redevelopment of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital to know that a rebuild of Tumut will soon be a reality.”

Liberal candidate for Wagga Wagga Julia Ham said she had long been fighting for the upgrade of Tumut Hospital.

“I am delighted the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is delivering this important for the people of Tumut,” she said.

“If elected, ensuring the rebuild of the Tumut Hospital is delivered as soon as possible will be one of my top priorities. Locals tell me how important top quality healthcare is to them.”

In the 14 months since the NSW Government provided Budget funding to plan for Tumut Hospital’s rebuild, master planning has been full steam ahead.

The master planning for the site also includes a location for a new Tumut Ambulance station in the future.

Other projects funded by the Liberal & Nationals Government include $431 million for the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital redevelopment and $8 million for the Lockhart multipurpose service.