Ward Turns First Sod on Shellharbour Hospital Redevelopment

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward MP has today officially turned the first sod turn on the Shellharbour Hospital redevelopment.

Mr Ward said that local residents are one step closer to greatly expanded health services with early works underway on the $251 million Shellharbour Hospital.

“When I make a promise, I keep it. We are delivering a quarter of a billion dollar hospital upgrade which will be an enormous boost to health care in our region,” Mr Ward said.

“Let me be clear, Labor failed to match our commitment for this hospital. In fact, they closed services at Shellharbour Hospital when they were last in Government.

“Redeveloping Shellharbour Hospital will ensure that the community continues to have access to world-class, contemporary healthcare,” Mr Ward said.

“With the population growing and ageing, preparing to meet changing demands well into the future is our number one priority,” he said.

When completed, the Shellharbour Hospital redevelopment will deliver:

•  Additional operating theatre capacity;

• A new Emergency Department;

• Additional critical care services;

• Increased acute inpatient surgical services; and

• An expanded outpatient clinic space.  “The NSW Government has committed more than $770 million across the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to improve healthcare throughout the area, including the recently announced $434 million upgrade to Shoalhaven Hospital and a new multi-storey car park.  “Early works will prepare the site for construction to begin next year. 

“The main works are on track for completion in late 2021, with further refurbishment of some existing areas of the hospital to follow once the major works are completed,” Mr Ward concluded.