AFTER a resounding Nationals win in the state seat of Tamworth, the question on everyone's lips in Gunnedah is when the promised new hospital will be built.
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Third-term member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said he was "looking forward to seeing it progress".
"As soon as the ... ministers are announced, I will knock on the health minister's door to ... get the work under way," Mr Anderson said.
But NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Gunnedah delegate Heather Franke said she was "pessimistic".
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"He committed $73 million for the area and I don't think it'll be used," Mrs Franke said.
She said the branch would "keep the pressure on, and make sure he ... does what he said he would".
A spokesman for Mr Anderson called Mrs Franke's pessimism "unfounded", and Mr Anderson said: "These are election commitments."
"I don't make them if I know they won't be delivered upon," Mr Anderson said.
Mrs Franke said that, above all, she would prefer nurse-to-patient ratios first.
"What's a building if you have unsafe practice, if you can't guarantee the safety of your patient shift-to-shift? That's what's more important," she said.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson took more than 50 per cent of the primary vote in the election, beating next-closest contenders Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Jeff Bacon and independent Mark Rodda.
Jessica Worboys
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
