2 December 2019

Michael Johnsen MP, Member for Upper Hunter today announced that the Murrurundi Hospital Redevelopment has moved another step forward with the awarding of the construction contract to J. Hutchinson Pty. Ltd.

Mr Johnsen said the redevelopment project will deliver a new health services building which will expand and improve existing services and include an inpatient service, 24 hour a day emergency service, primary and ambulatory care facilities, an ambulance bay, and staff accommodation.

“The expansion will ensure Murrurundi Wilson Memorial Hospital will continue to meet the community’s needs into the future,” Mr Johnsen said.

“Within the new building, the inpatient unit will include four single rooms with private ensuites and a four bed ward that can be used as a flexible space.

“The new facility will be multifunctional through the use of ‘Telehealth’ video conferencing to other health facilities, and the new activities room can be used for outreach services and clinical interventions according to service demands in the Murrurundi area.

“Opportunities are being explored to appropriately honour the history of the existing hospital with the community, and incorporate existing building components into the new build.

“The foundation stone, plaques and the time capsule will be preserved, but also some salvaged building materials such as bricks will be incorporated into the landscaping of the new courtyard, and some will be offered to the community for reuse.

The services and design of the Murrurundi Hospital Redevelopment project have been based on the Murrurundi Clinical Services Plan developed by Hunter New England Local Health District and enhanced by community and local clinician feedback.

Hutchinson Pty. Ltd. (trading as Hutchinson Builders and more commonly known as Hutchies) are familiar with health redevelopments as they are currently building the new Mudgee and Cobar health services.

Site establishment will commence shortly with main works on the new hospital site to officially start early in 2020. The redevelopment project is forecast to be complete in 2021.

“The Murrurundi Hospital Redevelopment project is part of the $304 million Stage 5 Multipurpose Service Program for facilities across rural and remote NSW,” Mr Johnsen said.

“The redeveloped Murrurundi Wilson Memorial Hospital will continue to operate as a hospital, and will retain its name,” Mr Johnsen concluded.

Further information on the redevelopment project is available at: www.mps.health.nsw.gov.au/Projects/ Murrurundi