Report 'on economy aimed at adding weight to campaign for a new Tumut hospital.

Support for the campaign to replace the 107-year-old hospital at Tumut with a new building is growing.

Local lobby group No More Bandaid Solutions Inc. has now received messages of support from the Board of the Riverina Division of GP's, Tumut Shire Council and prominent politicians.

The NSW Nurses' Association have also featured the issue in their news magazine, pointing to a range of problems. These include a bathroom being closed because the floor is lifting, bathrooms too small to accommodate walking frames and water leaks during heavy rain which necessitate the use of towels, mops and buckets.

Tumut Shire Council has recently written to the Minister for Health requesting an urgent meeting with Mayor Gene Vanzella, Councillors and staff.

That letter states that the old hospital has had "bandaid after bandaid applied over the years" and after so much time it is "no longer appropriate for the needs of a growing community."

Also highlighted is the fact that the building is in such a bad state, of repair that part of the floor collapsed recently and the building "contains substantial amounts of asbestos which makes the carrying out of repairs hazardous to the workmen and the building users."

NMBS Inc. says it fully supports these statements from the Council and is concerned that any further attempt to apply bandaids by renovating the building rather than designing and building a modern, more appropriate hospital present potential danger to both patients, staff and visitors.

It points out during past major renovations quantities of asbestos in the form of lagging around pipes hidden in walls and ceilings were found.

Asbestos sheeting and roofing in poor condition and exposed to the elements can clearly be seen at the hospital today and NMBS Inc says if disturbed by vibration or removal processes, this material could present a lethal risk.

Members of NMBS Inc. have met several times recently and say they remain of the view that unless a new hospital is built soon there will be adverse consequences for the economy of the Tumut district.

May 26 2006

Tumut & Adelong Times