A humble letter has “set in stone” the construction of a long-awaited and estimated $50 million integrated cancer centre at Dubbo Hospital.
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Member for Parkes Mark Coulton revealed the existence of the letter at a media conference prompted by a visit to the city by federal Assistant Minister for Rural Health Dr David Gillespie.
Mr Coulton advised that the letter officially delivered on the federal government’s election commitment of $25 million for the cancer centre.
“The NSW government got a letter co-signed by (federal Minister for Regional Development) Fiona Nash and myself some weeks ago assuring the NSW government that the funds are there,” he said.
“They needed that assurance so that they could actually put the planning processes in place.
“They now have the confidence that the funds are coming and so the cancer centre is now being written into stages three and four (redevelopment of Dubbo Hospital).
Dr Gillespie said the $25 million was coming from the Community Development Grants Program and covered about half the cost of the cancer centre.
NSW Deputy Premier and Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has previously told of talks with the Western NSW Local Health District and Health Infrastructure about where to locate the cancer centre at the hospital. Stage three and four redevelopment will begin with the construction of another floor on the hospital’s new clinical services building, with tenders called in August.