The NSW government will push ahead with its public-private partnership plan for Shellharbour Hospital.
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Expressions of interest (EOI) from non-government operators to build and run a redeveloped Shellharbour Hospital closed last week, with a “competitive” – yet undisclosed – number of bids received.
Health Minister Jillian Skinner revealed on Thursday the Shellharbour private-public plan would “progress to the next stage”, as would partnership proposals for hospital upgrades at Maitland and Wyong.
Plans for a “shared infrastructure solution” at Bowral will also move forward.
“We received an excellent response from hospital operators for the Maitland, Wyong, Bowral and Shellharbour projects,” Mrs Skinner said.
A public-private plan at Goulburn won’t go ahead, because “there was not sufficient interest received to give the NSW government confidence that better outcomes could be achieved”.
“As promised, if we cannot secure better outcomes, the projects will be built traditionally and construction will begin this term,” she said.
“We will continue with the other projects to test that the EOI responses offer robust proposals that will benefit the community whilst continuing to deliver access to free public healthcare.”
The Mercury asked Mrs Skinner’s office how many EOIs were received for Shellharbour Hospital.
There were sufficient bids received to enable a competitive process to be undertaken.
- NSW Health Infrastructure
“While we are at the beginning of a competitive tender process it would not be appropriate for us to comment on the number of bids,” a spokeswoman for NSW Health Infrastructure said.
“However, there were sufficient bids received to enable a competitive process to be undertaken.”
The Shellharbour public-private partnership plan was revealed on September 15, prompting backlash from health unions and Labor.
Health Services Union (HSU) Illawarra-Shoalhaven organiser Renee Cross said its members were vehemently opposed to public-private operations. “It’s not good for the community, it’s not good for services and it’s certainly not good for the staff,” Ms Cross said.
A union-led rally protesting the hospital changes will be held at Benson Basin – on the corner of Wattle and Lake Entrance roads, Shellharbour City – from noon on November 6.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
