Communities across regional NSW can now have their first look at a $45.3 million dollar NSW Government investment into key healthcare worker accommodation, set to be rolled out across Broken Hill, Balranald, Cooma, Finley, Leeton, Narrandera and West Wyalong.
An off-site prototype unit has been completed alongside final artist impressions for each site, giving local communities their chance to view the modern and sustainable design of the new units.
The units will support heath care workers looking to establish themselves in a new community by providing accommodation close to work. This is a key factor in attracting and retaining health workers at rural and regional hospitals.
Extensive consultation with clinicians has been undertaken as part of the planning and design process, which has been used to inform the prototype.
The prototype allows the units to be tested before they are built to ensure they will be fit-for-purpose, safe and comfortable for local and visiting healthcare workers.
The units will be built off-site and then installed on hospital grounds in Cooma, Broken Hill, Finley, Leeton, Narrandera and West Wyalong. The sites were selected following consultation with local health districts to determine which facilities had the most urgent need for accessible, affordable accommodation to support their workforce.
Two pre-fabricated accommodation cabins, each with two units, have been delivered and installed at Balranald Hospital. Works on site are currently being finalised and the units are expected to be ready for occupation in the coming months.
All accommodation will follow the same architectural design, and sustainability will be a focus with the units fully electrified and solar ready.
Offsite construction of the accommodation will commence shortly after feedback on the prototype is considered. The new units will be installed starting in mid-2024 and are expected to become available to key workers in late 2024/early 2025.
The NSW Government's investment into the key worker accommodation is just part of a range of measures we are rolling out to improve access to care in our regional, rural and remote communities, including:
- doubling rural health incentives which has seen more health workers recruited or retained in the bush;
- boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model; and
- delivering an extra 500 regional paramedics.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"We know recruitment is one of the biggest challenges facing our regional, rural and remote health services.
"I've always said everyone deserves access to quality healthcare from our amazing healthcare workers, no matter where they live.
"Critical to achieving this has been bringing more health workers to our regions, and these units will support staff looking to establish themselves in a new community."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, Tara Moriarty:
"The NSW Government is improving regional service delivery and the $45.3 million health worker accommodation program is another example of how we are getting on with the job.
"Communities in the Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW and Far West will be pleased to see this progress and I look forward to seeing the accommodation become available to health workers by the end of this year.
"Our government is making a real difference in the regions with better decisions and smart investments that deliver a positive difference in health, education, business and utilities."
Quotes attributable to Member for Monaro Steve Whan:
"The completion of the prototype is an exciting milestone in this project, which will see accommodation for 12 healthcare workers at any one time in Cooma.
"I am really pleased Cooma has been selected as site for this purpose-built accommodation, and I hope it encourages healthcare workers to consider a move to Cooma or one of the state's other wonderful regional communities where this is on offer."
Quotes attributable to Member for Barwon Roy Butler:
"Broken Hill is an incredible place to work and live, and I welcome this investment which will support up to 20 health workers looking to establish themselves in Far Western NSW.
"Having safe and comfortable housing close to our hospital, will go a long way to removing a significant barrier in attracting staff to this unique part of the world."
Quotes attributable to Member for Murray Helen Dalton:
"This investment will entice much needed medical professionals to consider a career in the region.
"The establishment of purpose built, considered accommodation is not only beneficial for healthcare staff but also for the communities in Finley, Leeton and Narrandera who will benefit from skilled healthcare professionals."
