Wollongong Hospital will be developed as the hub for specialist and teaching services under a draft plan that aims to meet the region's changing medical needs.
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The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District today releases the highly anticipated first draft of its healthcare services plan, to guide the delivery of services for the next decade.
The document highlights the challenges confronting the area's health network, including an ageing and growing population that will top 425,000 by 2021.
The health district's director of operations, planning and performance, Michelle Noort, said the draft plan balanced centralising specialised services and ensuring core services were widely available.
"The challenge for the board and for the district executive is, given the data that we've got in front of us, how do we distribute the resources we've got to best-meet the needs of as many people across the Illawarra-Shoalhaven as we can?" she said.
One key proposal was to boost the status of Shellharbour Hospital as one of three major district hubs, in recognition of the city's growing population.
Under the plan, Wollongong Hospital was also expected to evolve as a district-wide provider of specialised services, research and teaching.
The plan provides details about existing issues, including the rising level of chronic health needs, the number of potentially avoidable hospitalisations, responding to mental health needs and attracting the right staff.
It also emphasises the need to invest in prevention and early intervention, to improve collaboration between services and to enhance infrastructure in areas with high growth.
The health district is now seeking feedback on the plan. Information stalls will be held at Stockland Nowra on August 27, Stockland Shellharbour on August 28 and Wollongong's Crown Street Mall on August 29.
Visit islhd.health.nsw.gov.au for more information.
