Gunnedah’s $53 million hospital redevelopment had its first look last week and is anticipated to soon start receiving patients.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and Gunnedah Shire Council representatives, including mayor Colleen Fuller, were among those present in Gunnedah last Thursday to address media.

Among the new services were an expanded emergency department, modern birthing, maternity and inpatient units and the new acute services building.

Cr Fuller thanked Mr Anderson and the minister for being in Gunnedah.

“We have been waiting for so long and as someone who has served on our health boards and committees here for 18 years we are very proud of what we have got,” Cr Fuller said.

“We thank the government for what they are doing for us and we look forward to further work,” she said noting the hospital helipad that is currently out of service.

“We are very proud, it is a beautiful facility and Gunnedah can be very proud.”

The operational date of the new facility is still to be announced; however, the community is invited to an open day on November 26.

The hospital, however, has not been without its challenges.

Mr Park acknowledged the advocacy of representatives who drew his attention to multiple issues the hospital has faced.

He spoke about the setbacks faced with the hospital’s redevelopment, a major one being the revised scope.

Cost escalations left the community without the originally promised upgrades, including an infusion unit for renal dialysis and oncology services.

“That wasn’t the fault of the last government,” Mr Park said.

“It was what was happening worldwide in relation to shortages of materials, labour shortages, particularly in trades, logistic costs and challenges escalating the likes we hadn’t seen for some time.”

Now there has been some stabilisation, he said the government can consider expanding some hospital scopes, but will still need to balance it with building new facilities.

Another challenge was the availability of Gunnedah’s maternity services. He said they would “move heaven and earth” to ensure the new birthing suite is utilised to its full capacity.

The redevelopment will allow for maternity, postnatal, and birthing services.

“We need to do better when it comes to birthing services closer to home,” Mr Park said, also recognising the importance of people being “born and bred” in rural areas.

He said Luke Sloane and the team at NSW Health were trying to bring more maternity services back to areas that struggled to keep them. They are currently trying to recruit a GP obstetrician for Gunnedah Hospital.

Safety was a priority for him, not just for the hospital, but for those women travelling long distances for birth.

“I’ve heard that message loud and clear,” he said. “This is something I’m determined to do.”

He said staffing in rural and regional areas was always a challenge. He mentioned regional incentive schemes put in place that go up to $20,000.

Hope could come from the updated facilities itself, suggesting potential staff may be attracted to the modern setting.

“While facilities like this are deeply critical, they do help to attract staff and specialist staff to the area,” he said.

Another problem was the helipad which has been out of use.

Mr Park said he couldn’t commit on Thursday to the hospital’s helipad rebuild but understood its significance.

“I understand why it’s important, and I’ll continue to look at ways in which we can invest in this facility,” he said.