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The current Mudgee District Hospital was officially opened on October 8, 1955, replacing the facility that had been in use since the 1870s.

And it was state of the 19^th century hospital that lead to "vigorous lobbying" by the local community for a modern facility.

Their efforts were rewarded and on the big day in 1955, over 1,000 people turned out to take a look.

At the time of the opening, the then-new hospital had over 90 beds, however this was at a time when the treatment was somewhat different to how it is offered today. This was before the advent of the Community Health services model and the arrival of specialist aged care facilities.

So, although there are significantly fewer beds now, back then a stay was really a 'stay'.

In 2005, to mark the hospital's 50^th anniversary, the then health services manager Joy Adams told the Mudgee Guardian, "the advances in medicine have changed the focus of the hospital".

A child with Chicken Pox doesn't typically stay in hospital anymore. And rather than spending 10 days after giving birth, mothers and babies are discharged and are supported by midwives in the community.

Having opened in the mid 20^th century and continuing two decades into the 21^st, the Mudgee Hospital has seen more than its share of advances in treatment.

"It has been able to accommodate changes in medical practise to provide a quality service to the community throughout this period," Mrs Adams said at the half-century milestone.

"So whilst Mudgee's population has changed and grown, the hospital is still able to meet its needs."

The current form of the hospital dates back to a major redevelopment in the 1990s, most prominently changing the entrance with the addition of the Lewis Street wing.

In 1991 planning commenced on the project, which ultimately saw the relocation of the Emergency Department from the first floor to the new building [opened in 1997].

As well as; a new medical records department; mental health suite; and upgrade of the theatre complex.

These works modernised the hospital in time for the 21^st century. And since then further redevelopments have been carried out such as; moving the general ward from the second floor to the first; adding labour wards to maternity; and inclusion of a public dental clinic.

As the current Mudgee District Hospital neared its 60^th birthday, the push for a new facility gained momentum.

In 2014, Mudgee Hospital Auxiliary patron Hugh Bateman said the issue needed to be "put on the agenda" and at Mid-Western Regional Council's September meeting Mayor Des Kennedy confirmed that they'd held discussions with the state government.

The redevelopment project was a campaign promise by then member for Dubbo Troy Grant, which was subsequently rubber-stamped with the result of the election in the following March.

Last year, the construction phase commenced following the removal of the former Community Health building on the corner of Church and Meares streets.

When checking out progress in November, member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the new hospital is on track for completion this year.

After which the current facility will be demolished.

This article was produced from the Mudgee Guardian/The Weekly archives and with thanks to the Mudgee Historical Society. It is the final of four installments on the history of the local hospital.

Also read; Part Three about the old, old Mudgee Hospital (used from 1874 to 1955) here; Part Two about Mudgee's private hospitals here; and Part One about the role Mudgee played in nursing here.