The $400 million new Maitland Hospital will likely be a public-private partnership, the state government announced on Thursday.
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Under a new partnership program to fast-track hospital upgrades, the government has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from non-government hospital operators to build and deliver facilities at Maitland, Wyong, Goulburn and Shellharbour and to support the delivery of services at the redeveloped Bowral Hospital.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald announced that under the plan, successful operators with a proven track record in providing quality healthcare would construct the hospitals and run them on behalf of the government. All public patients would continue to have access to publicly-funded healthcare.
“The NSW Government is determined to deliver on its commitment and redevelop Maitland and Wyong hospitals sooner, to provide better services and choices for patients closer to home,” Mr MacDonald said.
“The Hunter Region is also growing rapidly. The new Maitland Hospital will be a purpose-built modern facility, designed to deliver enhanced services and meet the increasing health needs of the growing city of Maitland and surrounding Hunter Valley region.
“At this stage we are testing the market. If there is sufficient interest, the partnership approach will allow us to provide public patients with access to quality health services.
“Partnering with the non-government sector will bring real benefits. By sharing building costs with the successful hospital operator, the facilities will be delivered faster and at a reduced cost to taxpayers so more money can be reinvested into providing even more and better healthcare for our communities.”
Current permanent staff who want to work for the new hospitals will be offered a position, provided an equivalent position exists. Any staff member who migrates will have a two-year employment guarantee.
