The state's new health minister is backing away from the proposed public private partnership to build and operate the new Maitland Hospital at Metford.
Brad Hazzard has decided to go back to the drawing board, 7 months after the government announced the $400-million hospital would operate under a Public Private Partnership.
He's told the Herald the project needs more money as the current plans won't cater for Maitland's growing population, saying all options are back on the table.
He said former Health Minister, Jillian Skinner had allocated $200 million - which would provide a hospital but not one which is needed for a growing population.
However, he doesn't want to see the project delayed, saying one of the options could be having the private sector build the hospital but not actually run it.
He says while he's pushing hard to build the hospital as soon as possible, it would not be treating patients for about five years.
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| NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard |
