Kiama residents will have improved access to a range of outpatient services from audiology to speech pathology by the end of the year.
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Kiama MP Gareth Ward announced on Friday that construction will begin next week on the $3.6 million Kiama Integrated Primary and Community Health Centre.
The purpose-built facility is being built by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District on a portion of land which currently houses Kiama Hospital.
“This is an exciting development for the local community,’’ ISLHD executive director of clinical operations Carolyn Cooper said.
“They will soon have a brand new centre that will deliver a range of outpatient services from early childhood right through to aged care services in modern surroundings.’’
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said the new centre formed part of the $45 million Kiama Hospital Redevelopment project being led by Kiama council.
“We’re delighted that work will start on this facility as part of the process of redeveloping this site,’’ he said.
“Council will also be developing a 134-bed residential aged care facility as well as 51 independent living units and 16 assisted living units on site.
“We will also be moving our community service staff there, and there will be opportunities to link with the local health district staff to maximise services for our community.’’
Mr Ward said the ISLHD had for a number of years outlined its intention to relocate beds used at Kiama Hospital to an expanded Shellharbour Hospital campus.
Beds at Kiama Hospital service patients across the Illawarra – in 2013-14 some 90 per cent of patients lived outside the Kiama LGA.
“This progress in Kiama complements our commitment at the last election to allocate $251 million for the redevelopment of Shellharbour Hospital” Mr Ward said.
“...The Kiama Hospital Redevelopment project has received a total of $8 million in funding under the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund, which was established to drive economic growth in the region.’’
With the redevelopment of Shellharbour Hospital still in its early stages, a temporary location has been sought for the aged care beds and the ward staff from Kiama.
The ISLHD will lease space at Shellharbour Private Hospital as a temporary solution.
“We’ve had extensive consultation with staff about the temporary location of the ward, and they are now looking forward to the move which will take place in July,’’ Ms Cooper said. “Our staff will continue to provide the highest quality services for our aged care patients but from a different location until the Shellharbour Hospital has been completed.’’