FUTURE OF LONG JETTY HOSPITAL MUST BE CONFIRMED
Member for The Entrance, David Mehan, today called on the NSW Government to commit to the future of Long Jetty Hospital and give the community the health services it has asked for.
Back in May 2021, the Clozapine Clinic that operated out of the Long Jetty Health Centre was relocated to privately owned Kanwal Medical Complex. The Clinic, at the time, treated approximately 40 people who then had to make new travel arrangements over a greater distance.
In October 2021, the Long Jetty sub-acute and transitional care units were moved out to support the COVID-19 response from Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) for the region.
In March 2022, Mr Mehan wrote to the Minister for Health seeking assurances about the future of the Hospital.
Whilst the Minister did provide assurance that the “…District is committed to providing health services from Long Jetty…”, services removed during the COVID-19 response have not returned and a review of the Hospital commenced.
In a first for our region, Mr Mehan sought and obtained agreement from CCLHD that the community would be able to have input into the Hospital Review.
A total of 371 submissions were received from the community. These made it clear that the community expects Long Jetty to continue as a public health facility providing services to the local community.
The NSW Government has already announced plans to establish 25 Urgent Care Service centres across the state. These Centres are in addition to the 13 Urgent Care Clinics being provided by the Commonwealth. Info here: Urgent Care Services in NSW - Hospitals
“Long Jetty Hospital is the perfect location for an Urgent Care Service for our region and the local community. The community don’t want the hospital remaining idle.
The NSW Government is taking way too long in making a decision, and the community is fed up,” said Mr Mehan.
DATE: 27 February 2023