The Hunter New England Local Health District has has called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to help find a suitable site for a new hospital in the Maitland region.

 

State Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, welcomed the announcement, saying the Government’s $20 million commitment to the planning would assist in the purchasing of the land proposed for the new hospital.

 

“The commencement of the expression of interest process highlights that we are getting on with the job to ensure plans are in place to support the health needs of this region well into the future,” Ms Skinner said.

 

Hunter New England Health Chief Executive Michael DiRienzo said a site for a new hospital in the Maitland region was only one part of the overall Hunter Valley Health Services Planning Project, formed to deliver on the Government’s commitment. 

 

The project is also planning for the future health care needs of the communities of Maitland, Cessnock and the Coalfields, Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter.

 

Mr DiRienzo said expressions of interest are sought from land owners who wish to nominate land that may be suitable for the proposed new hospital within a preferred zone around Maitland.

 

“We need a sizeable parcel of land that will enable us to plan not just for today but for future opportunities and expansion to meet the needs of our ever-increasing population,” Mr DiRienzo said. 

 

“Ideally, the land needs to be between 10 and 20 hectares and not prone to flooding.

 

“The preferred zone was determined through consideration of key factors in delivering health care: accessibility to communities, transport links, proximity to other health services and the availability of a specialist workforce.