HEALTH authorities should start from scratch in building a new hospital for Goulburn, says a long time local specialist.
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Obstetrician, Dr Sujon Purkayastha argues with hospital planning changing rapidly, it is wasting time and impractical to construct a new facility on the existing site.
“The site is congested already,” he told the Post.
“We don’t want an infirmary from last century but a hospital for the new century.”
Dr Sujon says there’s a groundswell of opinion among doctors and health staff in favour of the idea. All it needs is a commitment by local, state and federal governments.
He’s advocating a more user friendly hospital, with wider corridors, larger theatres, better space for patient manoeuvrability and more open space.
Dr Sujon said patients were staying for less time in hospital, which had to be recognised in a new facility.
“The atmosphere of the hospital has to also change from that of an old complex so that patients can recover quicker,” he said.
“…We’ve absolutely outgrown the site here. We have more services than we did 120 or 130 years ago and we need to build for the next century. This hospital won’t last another 100 years.”
Dr Sujon does not have a firm site in mind but loosely suggests land behind Bunnings and close to the Bonnet Park subdivision as a possibility.
It would be close to the highway and 2.5km from the city centre.
As for the cost, that’s another unknown but highly achievable from where he sits.
“It is not so expensive that they can’t do it,” he said.
“The amount of money spent on the hospital in the last 15 to 20 years could have bought a new one. The Health Department is not spending money in the most effective way.
“They can afford it by cutting down on waste, removing duplication of services and increasing productivity.”
Dr Sujon believed the existing site could still be kept for rehabilitation, physiotherapy, community health and similar services, while the new hospital could focus on acute care.
State Health Minister Jillian Skinner allocated $600,000 in January towards planning for an upgraded hospital.
A planning committee is looking at a new emergency department, more in-patient care and new intensive care and high dependency units.
Funding would then need to be allocated in the capital works program, compiled annually.
Mayor Geoff Kettle is not so keen on starting afresh.
“I can’t see why plans for the existing site can’t work,” he said.
“And I would think there’s an argument that the health hub planned for Bradfordville could work hand in hand with the upgraded hospital.”
Cr Kettle said plans for Goulburn Base were underway and he had a good idea of what they contained. Given the money already spent, it was logical to continue on the existing site.
“I’m quite happy with the work (hospital manager) Kerry Hort, Max Alexander (Southern NSW Health district CEO), the state and federal members and NSW Health are doing,” Cr Kettle said.
“We are all working toward a common goal and I don’t think we should be throwing new ideas into the mix.”
The mayor told the Post he’d push for whatever model the planning committee thought best.
He was not worried that the federal government’s slashing of health funding to the states could jeopardise the upgrade.
Cr Kettle said he was talking to private parties about any projects concerning Goulburn, including the hospital.
He cited St Vincent’s Hospital, a public private partnership at North Sydney and Ramsay Health as examples where it could work.
“We have to look outside the square for money,” Cr Kettle said.
“I’m not one for sitting around waiting for state money because they don’t have any.”
THE State’s health minister says she will consider a Greenfield site for Goulburn Base Hospital’s redevelopment.
But Jillian Skinner is not commenting at this stage on any financial commitment beyond the $600,000 planning phase.
The federal government has stripped health funding from the states in its budget.
“Goulburn Base Hospital continues to serve its community extremely well, thanks to the skill and commitment of its staff,” Ms Skinner (pictured) said.
“However, there is no doubt the infrastructure is ageing and in need of attention, which is why the NSW Government announced $600,000 in January to plan a redevelopment of the hospital.
“The Southern NSW Local Health District will consider multiple options - including a Greenfield site - for the redevelopment of Goulburn Base Hospital based on future clinical needs. “
The first stage of planning is expected to be complete later this year.
