Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE first sod was turned for Molong’s new NSW Ambulance Station on Monday.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health Leslie Williams was at the King Street site, unveiling an artist’s impression of the $2.5m station while announcing additional funding for the town’s Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) health facility.
Construction of the new ambulance station is expected to be completed in late 2018 and will include an internal wash bay, administration office, a logistics and storage area, and parking bays for up to three emergency ambulance vehicles.
It will replace the existing station at Riddell Street.
Mrs Williams also announced a $40,000 air conditioning upgrade to the MPS and inspected the refurbishment of its residential aged care facilities, which are slated to be finished by the end of the month.
Once the air conditioning is installed, there are plans to upgrade the MPS’s emergency department, administration areas and acute care rooms.
That work is expected to be completed midway through next year.
Mrs Williams said the undertakings were proof of the government’s commitment to health care in regional areas.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is delivering on its commitment to invest in world-class health services across rural and regional NSW,” she said.
The ambulance station has been a political bone of contention in recent times since then health minister Jillian Skinner announced the $2.5 million ambulance station in January.
Less than two weeks ago, member for Orange Phil Donato asked Mrs Skinner’s successor Brad Hazzard in parliament what progress had been made in regards to promised facility.
Mr Donato on Monday said the most important thing was that residents and health professionals would be better served in the future.
“I am pleased to see a commitment to provide the community of Molong a new ambulance station to support the men and women of Ambulance NSW who provide an essential and life-saving service,” Mr Donato said.
NSW Ambulance Deputy Director Operations Western Sector, John Stonestreet, also welcomed the new addition.
“The new station will greatly enhance their ability to deliver high-quality mobile emergency medical care to patients in the community for decades to come,” Chief Superintendent Stonestreet said.