Attracting, recruiting and retaining health workers in regional communities across NSW will soon be easier, with new modern and sustainable worker accommodation announced for Balranald, Broken Hill, Cooma, Finley, Leeton, Narrandera and West Wyalong.
Several regional communities will benefit from the NSW Government’s $45.3 million investment in accommodation for key healthcare workers in the Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW and Far West Local Health Districts.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the key worker accommodation will ensure new and visiting healthcare workers have fit for purpose, self-contained accommodation, enabling them to deliver essential healthcare services in rural NSW.
“It was really great to visit Broken Hill Hospital and see the site of this accommodation, and it has been made clear this will really benefit the hospital community,” Mr Park said.
“It will not just make a difference here, but across all the locations which have been selected. We know affordable and accessible accommodation is a key factor in attracting and retaining health workers at rural and regional hospitals.
“The new units will provide a safe and comfortable place for them to live close to work. As part of the planning and design process, there has been extensive consultation with clinicians who have experience living in key worker accommodation.”
Member for Barwon Roy Butler welcomed the investment which will attract and retain key health workers in the region.
“I welcome this investment which will support health workers looking to establish themselves in Broken Hill, as well as healthcare workers working temporarily in the region,” Mr Butler said.
“Attracting highly skilled health workers to Broken Hill will ensure our community has access to high quality healthcare close to home.
“Accommodation is tight right across NSW, which is a barrier to attracting professionals into jobs.”
The units will be fully furnished and equipped with all the necessities including kitchens, bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms, living and outdoor areas.
Offsite construction of the accommodation units will commence in early 2024 after planning and design work has been completed.
The new units will be installed across the regions starting mid-2024 and are expected to become available to key workers in late 2024/early 2025.
The investment into the Key Worker Program is in addition to hospital redevelopments in the districts including a $10 million upgrade to the Broken Hill Hospital’s Emergency Department, $30 million Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment, $26.6 million Cooma Hospital Redevelopment, the $25 million Finley Hospital Redevelopment, and the $80 million Temora Hospital Redevelopment.
Hutchinson Builders has been appointed to deliver the accommodation program across six sites including Broken Hill, Cooma, Leeton, Finley, Narrandera and West Wyalong.
Balranald early enabling works is underway with Joss Construction.