Maitland's New Hospital Well on Its Way

Maitland's new hospital has past its first planning stage after the State Government pledged over 400 million dollars for the major project.

The hospital's planning will continue into 2016, with ground work expected on the Metford site before the next State election.

Hunter New England Health Chief Executive Michael DiRienzo says it's good the Government is acting on he hospital.

"There's been a lot of planning to date and there's been a lot of getting the site ready for this"

He says the Metford hospital will be built whilst old Maitland hospital is still in operation and "we'll decommission one hospital and then we can transfer or transition services from the old hospital and start the new one"

An artist's impression of the new Maitland hospital (image courtesy of The Herald).

The Government has confirmed new delivery suits, an intensive care unit and an additional CT scanner will all be part of Maitland hospital's transition to Metford.

But Maitland MP Jenny Aitcherson says their isn't enough information yet, "we need the release of the business case to the public and we need the date [of completion].  The date is the key here".

"We need this hospital, it's been promised for over five years now, its time for the Government to just deliver it".