Healthcare workers in the far west of NSW will soon have access to modern and fit-for-purpose key worker accommodation, with the delivery of four new units at Balranald Multipurpose Service (MPS) now complete.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said Balranald is the first of seven sites to be completed under the $45.3 million Key Worker Accommodation Program, which will help attract and retain much needed healthcare staff in the regions.
The new accommodation is available to new permanent staff members who are establishing themselves in the community, as well as health professionals coming to work at Balranald MPS on a temporary basis.
The units are fully furnished, with each including a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable living area, bedroom, ensuite bathroom and laundry, as well as a double carport and grassed private open space.
The area is fully fenced and landscaped, and a shared communal area provides an opportunity for staff to connect with each other, which will help create a sense of community and a home away from home.
The Balranald MPS key worker accommodation was delivered in partnership with Health Infrastructure and Far West Local Health District (FWLHD).
FWLHD is one of three regional local health districts to benefit from a $45.3 million investment to deliver accommodation for health workers under the Key Worker Accommodation Program. Broken Hill will also benefit from the Program, with accommodation expected to become available to key health workers in early 2025.
Building on the success of this rollout, the NSW Government has also committed an additional $200.1 million to increase key health worker accommodation across rural and regional areas of the state as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget.
Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:
"Recruitment is one of the biggest challenges facing regional, rural and remote health services, and these new units will support health workers looking to establish themselves in a new community.
"I'm delighted these new units will remove a barrier to finding accommodation for health staff at Balranald MPS, meaning recruiting and retaining workers will be easier.
"Two freestanding cabins, each with two self-contained units, are located on the hospital grounds, providing a safe, accessible and comfortable place for healthcare workers.
"We look forward to welcoming the first health workers into the units in the coming weeks."
Quotes attributable to Member for Murray Helen Dalton:
"Any investment in rural, remote and regional health care is always welcome, but much more is needed and I look forward to working with Minister Park in this space.
"We need to attract more critical workers to rural and remote NSW and housing infrastructure is a step in the right direction.
"It's vitally important we attract key medical professionals to the bush to ensure patients and communities have the same level of care as their city counterparts."
