By MATT NICHOLLS
ARMIDALE Hospital’s future hangs in the balance in Canberra on Thursday as local politicians discuss a $60 million redevelopment with Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton.
New England MP Barnaby Joyce and his state Northern Tablelands counterpart Adam Marshall will lobby Mr Dutton to find $50 million of Federal Government funds to get the project off the ground.
Thursday’s meeting is exactly three months after Mr Joyce first told the Armidale Independent he would arrange a round-table discussion regarding the hospital.
“Like anything in government, it is important to get on the front foot with these issues,” Mr Joyce said at the time.
“I understand the importance of this hospital development to the Armidale community and have begun speaking to the relevant people and following the necessary channels to lobby for this project.”
Mr Joyce was unavailable for comment yesterday, but when he spoke to the Independent in Uralla 12 days ago, he said he was continually mentioning the Armidale Hospital to Mr Dutton.
“We’ve certainly got to do something with the hospital, but it’s very difficult at the moment,” he said.
“I went into bat to get $25 million for SPC in Shepparton (in Victoria) and couldn’t. That’s 3000 workers,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Health Minister is very aware of the issues at Armidale Hospital, I’m always making him aware when I see him in Canberra, but we’ll have to go through the process.”
Mr Marshall said he was looking forward to discussing the hospital redevelopment with the Minister and hoped to return to Armidale with a clear picture of what the Federal Government’s plans were for regional hospitals.
The State Government has already committed $10 million to the redevelopment, but that money is dependent on the Federal Government’s $50 million.
“I hope to get a clear understanding of what the Federal Health Minister has planned under this new government,” Mr Marshall said.
“I want to show him the plans for Armidale Hospital and find out if there is any criteria it has to meet to make it more eligible for funding.”
Mr Marshall said the State Government’s $10 million commitment was definite.
“The money is there, it has been promised by the state’s Health Minister Jillian Skinner and we want to spend it,” he said.
Hunter New England Health’s director of acute networks Todd McEwan said the redevelopment of Armidale Hospital remained a high priority.
“Plans to redevelop Armidale Hospital remain current and can be used if funding is made available,” he said.
“In the meantime, Armidale Hospital’s services are being further improved.
“Work is complete on the $8 million ambulatory care building, which will provide a new chemotherapy unit with additional treatment places, and purpose-built rooms for chronic disease management and ambulatory care services (outpatient clinics).
“Armidale Hospital will continue its focus on providing high quality patient care and strong services for the future.”
