The Federal Government has announced $25 billion in additional funding for public hospitals nationwide – and Camden has put its hand up for a slice of it.
Camden Council is urging the NSW Government to commit much-needed funding for Camden Hospital, pictured, as part of upcoming state budget decisions, in the wake of the funding boost from Canberra.
Under the agreement, the additional funding will flow from the Commonwealth to the states to support public hospitals.
While the funding provides a critical boost to the health system around Australia, decisions about how that money is allocated to individual hospitals will be made by the NSW Government.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said Camden’s rapidly growing community cannot afford to be left behind.
“Camden is the fastest growing area in NSW, and yet our hospital capacity has not kept pace with the needs of our community,” she said.
“Time and time again, when I speak to members of our community, I hear stories of residents being forced to travel to Campbelltown or Liverpool for their healthcare needs. That’s not good enough.
“Additionally, in April last year, the NSW Government announced a commitment of $15 million for the planning of a new hospital at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
“However, we are yet to hear any further detail on the progress of this proposal. This leaves our residents relying on a local hospital that is underfunded, alongside the prospect of a new hospital whose future remains unclear.
“I’d like to sincerely thank the Federal Government for providing this additional funding to support the healthcare of all Australians. For the NSW Government, the time is now to provide Camden with the healthcare it needs by allocating appropriate funds towards Camden Hospital as well as securing a new hospital site to support our rapidly growing community.”
Cr Fedeli said the message to the NSW Government was clear.
“Our residents deserve timely access to quality healthcare close to home,” she said.
“We will continue to advocate strongly until Camden Hospital is properly funded and a new hospital site is secured to meet the needs of our community.”