Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

News
Health providers full of interest
The transformation of Mona
Vale Hospital has entered its
next stage with an enthusiastic
response to the Registration of
Interest (ROI) process for additional
health services to be co-located
throughout the precinct.
As reported by Pittwater Life in
January, the NSW Government is
planning a “sea change” in the provision
of local medical services that
will see the hospital campus remain
solely for health use and wholly
owned by the public.
Local MP Rob Stokes said more
than 20 health care providers had
responded to the ROI process in just two
months, exceeding government expectations.
Although he would not go into specifics,
Mr Stokes said he was “particularly
excited” by the diversity of health services
being proposed – especially from
local operators.
“These additional services would be
provided alongside a range of existing
and new health services including 24/7
Urgent Care, medical imaging, pathology,
pharmacy, inpatient rehabilitation and
assessment, inpatient geriatric evaluation
and management, inpatient palliative
care and a diversity of community
health services,” he said.
“We’re now looking at the potential for
a broader range of sub-acute and complementary
health services to be provided
at Mona Vale Hospital than ever before.
This includes everything from General
Practice through to medical specialists.
“This process is a really important part
of the ongoing work to modernise Mona
Vale Hospital and continue introducing
new infrastructure and services,” Rob
Stokes said.
Acute services will transfer to the new
Level 5 Northern Beaches Hospital at
Frenchs Forest when it opens in late 2018.
He confirmed all land would
remain in public ownership and
the Northern Sydney Local Health
District would continue to manage
the Mona Vale Hospital campus.
The Government’s vision is for a
series of modern, sub-acute health
facilities to be built around a central
park where the main building
currently stands (see diagram).
This better use of the land would
protect it from any short-term
decisions by future governments,
Mr Stokes said – adding he would
be open to considering longer-term
leases to give security for successful
health provider applicant to build on the
site.
The ROI responses will now be assessed
by a panel of representatives
from the Northern Sydney Local Health
District and NSW Health Infrastructure.
Recommendations to the Minister for
Health regarding which operators will be
asked for more detailed proposals will be
made in coming months.
Meanwhile some community groups
remain committed to retaining the
hospital building and its maternity and
emergency services.
– Nigel Wall
6 APRIL 2017
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