While the arrival of COVID-19 has reshaped the way we go about our daily lives this past year, it is heartening to see the amazing response from the health services, locally and across the state.
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On a local level our communities pulled together to play their part by coming forward for testing when asked and following public health advice, including staying home when required, hand washing, physical distancing and wearing masks when needed. These small measures help us to help you. Even though there has not been a new case in our district for a number of months, we cannot afford to let our guard down because if we do, the ramifications for our friends and loved ones could be devastating as we have seen elsewhere around the world.
The Federal Government recently announced the COVID-19 vaccine roadmap and we are looking forward to the rollout. I predict a strong uptake up in our communities, given the commitment we have all shown to tackling the virus and keeping one another safe. While COVID-19 has kept our health services busy and has lead the news headlines over the past 12 months, there are many other exciting things underway in our region, some of which we will see the fruits of this year.
New infrastructure and developing our existing facilities ensures our services can meet the diverse needs of our population and allows us to innovate, embrace new models of care and improve sustainability.
One innovation that continues to benefit those in our rural and regional communities all around the country is Telehealth, and it will help us provide specialist care in 2021.
The benefits of Telehealth were recognised across Australia and the world with the onset of COVID-19, so much so the Federal Government fast-tracked its plans for the technology which has tremendous benefits for Health, particularly for rural and remote communities.
Telehealth brings world class specialists into the homes and clinics of rural families and practices, ensuring people don't have to travel vast distances and that clinicians in rural and regional areas can access the advice and guidance of leading specialists.
An example is the Telestroke care pathway being rolled out in Armidale early this year, providing locals access to the best quality stroke treatment possible. The program supports doctors in rural emergency departments, to determine the way in which stroke patients are to be treated and identify those who require urgent transfer to the John Hunter Hospital for medical intervention.
Telestroke taps into our specialist teams to ensure the best outcomes for stroke patients in rural areas.
The Inverell Hospital redevelopment will hit an exciting milestone with the completion of the project expected mid-year. Last year we finished construction of the new hospital building and welcomed its first patients in May. Refurbishment of the old hospital to accommodate Community Health and Ambulatory Care services is well underway and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
More than a third of the record health infrastructure spend in the 2020-21 NSW Budget will go to regional and rural areas, with $900 million allocated for new and upgraded regional hospitals and health facilities.
Our region is sharing in the spoils with funding allocated to commence planning for the Gunnedah, Glen Innes and Moree hospital redevelopments.
The Clinical Service Plans for these hospitals are already well underway, with the plans for Gunnedah and Glen Innes hospital now with NSW Health for approval, and the plan for Moree to be submitted in the coming months.
Clinical Services Planning is an important step to determine the range of clinical services, for example medical, surgical, maternity, emergency, non-inpatient services, etc, these communities may require now and into the future.
Once approved, a Lead Design Team will be appointed to begin planning for the redevelopments. This involves creating a hospital campus master plan, which is used to develop a concept design.
Another exciting project we will see come to fruition is a new chemotherapy service for Narrabri, which we aim to have up and running later this year.
While the number of patients from Narrabri who require chemotherapy is relatively small, having access to treatment closer to home will reduce the burden of travel for these patients and their families.
The minor infrastructure works for the service will start soon and I look forward to seeing our patients from Narrabri receiving their treatment much closer to home very soon.
There is so much work going on behind the scenes of the health service from ground-breaking research to programs designed to enhance care, to the interesting stories centred on our staff and how they improve the lives of people every day. As we move beyond COVID-19, I hope to have the opportunity to share and celebrate these achievements with you.
While we know 2021 will continue to pose many challenges for our services and our communities, there is plenty to be positive about. We have all adapted to a new normal and, as a health service, these changes are just some of the many ways we are working to provide the best possible care for you and your family.
