Original concept drawings for the Northern Beaches Hospital
Working for construction of a new Hospital at Frenchs Forest & retaining Mona Vale
The hospitals and health services in the SHOROC region are struggling to cope with current demand let alone the real effects of an ageing population and population growth. Investment in our health services and hospitals is vital to provide basic needs to our residents for a sustainable future.
The SHOROC campaign for new and better Hospitals
As part of the Shaping Our Future strategy, the four SHOROC Mayors of Manly, Mosman, Pittwater and Warringah are calling for the NSW Government to build a new level 5 Hospital at Frenchs Forest, as well as retaining Mona Vale Hospital in a complementary role.
The key aim of the hospital and health policy is provide the health services our residents need, now and into the future.
The public hospitals and health priorities for the SHOROC region
The health priorities outlined in the SHOROC Shaping Our Future strategy have all been agreed and adopted by our partner councils at Manly, Warringah, Pittwater and Mosman and are backed by our local MP’s.
Shaping Our Future calls for:
- Immediate construction of the level 5 Northern Beaches Hospital and ancillary and private services at Frenchs Forest as well as the major road infrastructure required. The major road infrastructure includes: grade separation at the intersections of Wakehurst Parkway and Warringah Road to avoid gridlock around the hospital; and upgrades to Wakehurst Parkway to provide flood-free access.
- Mona Vale Hospital to be retained, with appropriate upgrades to enable a long term complementary role, networking effectively with the new Northern Beaches Hospital.
- Retaining the Manly Hospital site for community and education services.
- Improved ambulance services for the whole of the Northern Beaches and Mosman that respond to and serve the redistribution of the health services to Frenchs Forest.
- The health services need to include improved public health, mental health and related complimentary services to the broad community need including nursing homes and geriatric services.
Commitments from NSW Government to invest in Our Health Services
Local MPs Jillian Skinner, Brad Hazzard, Mike Baird, Rob Stokes and Jonathan O’Dea all agree with SHOROC’s push for investment in the health priorities for the Northern Beaches and North Shore.
The NSW State Government allocated $5 million for initial planning of new Northern Beaches Hospital in the 2011 Budget, with $125 million pledged over the next four years to start before 2015. The Government has also committed to keeping Mona Vale Hospital in a complementary role, as called for in SHOROC’s Shaping Our Future strategy.
This is the biggest funding boost yet for the long-awaited level-five hospital at Frenchs Forest and the new government has committed construction will commence within its first term.
The NSW Government health pledge includes:
- $125 million to start construction on the Level 5 Hospital at Frenchs Forest, with construction to commence in the first term and be completed in the second term. Construction will incorporate associated infrastructure such as transport/road links. Full services at Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals will be retained during construction.
- Mona Vale Hospital will serve in a complementary role once the new hospital is built.
- Full services including maternity will return to Mona Vale Hospital as soon as possible. It has been announced full maternity services will return to Mona Vale Hospital in April 2012.
- Manly Hospital will remain open until the new hospital is up and running and then will no longer operate as a hospital, but be used for community use such as aged care or mental health.
SHOROC and the four councils will continue to stay at the forefront of this campaign for a new hospital and better health services in our region and will continue to keep the community informed on any decisions made by the government towards reaching these important goals.
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