Through Liberal candidate Raissa Butkowski, the Coalition last week said it would deliver a ‘Healthcare Built to Last’ package to secure the future of healthcare in Farrer.
It would include a $185 million Albury-Wodonga Health Infrastructure Fund to complete the current hospital upgrade and “kickstart work on a future hospital for the region”.
While this future hospital is not specified as Deniliquin, Ms Butkowski said Deniliquin would directly benefit from the final $15 million to be invested.
Allocated for a mental health package to expand access to care, she said it would include the establishment of a headspace centre in Deniliquin.
As Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace provides early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.
A local centre has been on the wish list for the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group for some time.
It’s understood the promise rely on support from the sitting Labor Government, or would remain only an election promise until such time the Coalition can win back power at an election.
The next full Federal Election can be held any time between August 2027 and May 2028.
Ms Butkowski said the $200 million commitment would deliver immediate improvements at Albury, a primary regional hospital used by residents, while securing long-term capacity for a fast-growing region.
“We will complete the missing pieces of the current hospital upgrade, including the helipad with direct ICU, emergency and neonatal access promised in 2022, a fully fitted paediatric ward, an additional surgical theatre, expanded renal dialysis capacity, and practical improvements to parking and site access, so patients can get timely care when they need it.
“We will also look ahead, with funding for planning, site acquisition and early works for a new hospital. That is how you deliver for the next generation.”
The package will also deliver Farrer’s first Medicare Mental Health Centre, a walk-in service requiring no referral, a dedicated farmer mental health specialist, and the headspace centre in Deniliquin.
“no-one in Farrer should have to travel hours or sit on a waiting list to get help. This plan brings services closer to the people who need them,” Ms Butkowski said.
“This is a plan built around one simple idea: stronger healthcare for our community, now and into the future.”
While the Coalition makes no formal promise for Deniliquin Hospital funding, Independent candidate for Farrer Michelle Milthorpe has made it one of her key election platforms.
“We need a fully funded Deniliquin Hospital and more regional GPs,” Mrs Milthorpe said.
“Quite obviously, hospital infrastructure in Deniliquin has been ignored for too long and I want to fight to ensure this changes.
“Deniliquin has incredible doctors and nurses who do their best.
“They deserve better facilities, and so does this whole community.
“Deniliquin is one of only three hospitals in Farrer delivering babies, and it is critical to our whole region.
“A new hospital (at Deniliquin) would also benefit Albury because it would be under less pressure if more people were cared for here, instead of being transferred to Albury, as regularly occurs at present.”
