Palliative care services in Tamworth are set to double following the appointment of a building contractor for the major upgrade of the Nioka Palliative Care Unit at Tamworth Base Hospital.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the announcement marked a major milestone in the campaign to expand local services.
“In 2022, I joined with Friends of Nioka led by local advocate Bryan Singh to kickstart the campaign for a bigger, better Nioka Palliative Care Unit in Tamworth,” Mr Anderson said.
“Today, that campaign took a huge leap forward with a building contractor appointed to the project that will take the Nioka Unit from a 6-bed facility to a 12-bed facility.
“Local advocates have been pushing for more beds in Nioka for some time, recognising that we have a growing ageing population, and the local palliative care unit is almost always at capacity.
“Friends of Nioka are also hopeful that the upgrade will provide the opportunity for respite for local families who are full time carers of those in palliative care.
“I thank the Minister for Health Ryan Park for his commitment to this very important project and ensuring that the funding remained available to upgrade this facility and deliver those services closer to home.
“Friends of Nioka deserve credit for their tireless efforts for palliative care services in Tamworth. I know it is a deeply personal issue, and I thank Bryan Singh and members for their advocacy.
“This is another major health infrastructure project for our region that will provide additional healthcare options for our community.”
Meanwhile, the community in nearby Gunnedah are being invited to take a first look inside its own redeveloped hospital, with an open day planned for Wednesday 26 November from 3pm to 7pm.
Construction of the $53 million Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment is almost complete, with the new acute services building featuring an expanded emergency department, modern birthing, maternity and inpatient units, and a dedicated ambulance entry and bays.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the new facility would provide a major boost to regional health care.
“It’s a pleasure to visit Gunnedah Hospital’s new, modern acute services building that will support the delivery of health care to the community now and into the future,” Mr Park said.
“These state-of-the-art facilities have been shaped by extensive consultations with the community and health staff, and I encourage everyone to register for the open day to see for themselves.”
Labor spokesperson for Tamworth Anthony D’Adam said the new hospital would be “a game changer” for the Gunnedah area, while Hunter New England Local Health District representative Wendy Wilks said it was exciting to share the project’s progress and welcome the community to tour the modern facility.
The open day will include guided tours and the chance to view new artworks, landscaped gardens, and courtyard areas before the hospital officially opens later this year.
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