The sod turning ceremony at Finley Hospital: (From left) Margaret Morunga, Helen Dalton MP, Syd Dudley, Jill Ludford, David Somerville and Amanda Bock.
A week after confirming the long-awaited Finley Hospital redevelopment would begin, a sod turning ceremony was hosted at the site on Monday.
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Various health staff and community members joined representatives from the project team on site to commemorate that the $25 million project is officially under way.
The redevelopment will include: new inpatient rooms, a relocated medical imaging unit and a new ultrasound service, an expanded and reconfigured reception area, improvements to the Emergency Department, essential service upgrades, including IT to provide a better-connected health service and improvements to staff facilities.
The project has been informed by extensive feedback and consultation with health professionals, staff, patients, Aboriginal community representatives and the Finley Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC).
Finley LHAC chair Helen McRae, who was MC for Monday’s ceremony, said the event was significant in starting the process of the redevelopment.
“The community came together - young people, representatives from Barpa, the construction company doing the redevelopment project, Finley Hospital nursing staff, Dr Alam and our Local Member for Murray Helen Dalton.
“There was a wide spectrum of the community there, as well as several Finley LHAC members in attendance to kick off the development.”
Mrs McRae said while he is no longer a Finley LHAC member, former chair Syd Dudley was included in the ceremony.
“Syd was a large driver behind the project as previous LHAC chair, and played a big role in making this project happen,” she said.
“It is very apt he was there to hold one of the shovels that helped plant one of the Kurrajong gum trees (on Monday).
“It has been a long time coming, and his persistence and drive were a big part in what made this possible.”
Mrs McRae said the project will bring several positive benefits to Finley.
“This redevelopment will create more space for patients and better workflow for nurses, making for a more modern hospital environment.
“While it doesn’t include everything (we wanted), it will enhance the facilities and improve health services that can be provided, the care that patients receive and will make a difference to Finley and surrounding areas - such as community members from Jerilderie, Berrigan and Tocumwal that use the hospital facilities.
“I spoke to members of the construction team (on Monday) and they are very committed to the project and very committed to being part of the community while completing the project, which is good.”
Mrs McRae said the $25 million Finley Hospital Redevelopment is a big step in the right direction, but Finley LHAC will continue to advocate for the health needs of Finley and for more feasible services as part of the Hospital Redevelopment project.
“There will still be an ongoing commitment of LHAC to continue to improve health services and promote the health needs of the community.
“While we haven’t gotten everything we were hoping for, we will continue to advocate for health services on behalf of the community as they are required.”
Mrs Dalton said she was “thrilled” to see the Finley Hospital Redevelopment becoming a reality.
“It has been designed to meet the unique health care needs of local communities in Finley, Berrigan, Barooga, Tocumwal and Jerilderie,” she said.
“The Finley Hospital Redevelopment will not only deliver enhanced care for patients, but also provide a boost to the local economy during construction, supporting jobs and creating opportunities for local trades and supplies in our region throughout construction.”
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