Minister confirms Wagga priority.

A non committal response by the Minister for Health. John Hatzistergos, to questions raised in State Parliament in relation to a future redevelopment of the Tumut Hospital has been labelled "pathetic" by Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson.

Ms Hodgkinson had raised four questions in relation to the local hospital including whether the Minister would consider a reprioritisation of its redevelopment.

The answer for all four questions was given in one response saying "NSW Health and the Greater Southern Area Health Service advises that the redevelopment of Wagga Base hospital is a priority due to its critical role on the Area.

WaggaWagga Hospital is the largest health service facility in the region and provides a range of specialist services for people throughout the region."

Ms Hodgkinson described the response as "pathetic" and was unimpressed that the answer did not mention Tumut Hospital once.

It is simply not good enough to have a hospital in such urgent need of redevelopment in a town which is growing, such as Tumut," Ms Hodgkinson said.

"Private companies and Industry want to set up business and invest in Tumut, yet the Government is not willing to provide up-to-date Infrastructure" she said.

Ms Hodgkinson visited Tumut Hospital while she was in town on Tuesday and said she would continue to support demands by local residents for a major redevelopment of the hospital.

In Parliament Ms Hodgkinson had asked for confirmation that the redevelopment of Tumut Hospital has been given a lower priority than that of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, as advised by Greater Southern Area Health Services Manger of Services, Janet Chapman, at the public meeting in Tumut on November 8.

Ms Hodgkinson also asked:

• If the decision to put an upgrade of Tumut Hospital behind Wagga Wagga, Young. Quenbeyan and Junee was taken by the Area Health Service or at Ministerial level.

• If the reason behind this decision, given the Tumut Hospital building is 40 years older than Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. and

• If a reprioritisation of the redevelopment would be considered in light of significant community concerns.

Tumut & Adelong Times

Friday January 20 2006