X-ray services are finally coming to Tomaree Community Hospital after years of community campaigning.
Local politicians gathered to make the announcement this morning, thanking the community for their dedication to the issue.
Liberal Duty MLC for Port Stephens, Catherine Cusack says the new services should be up and running by next year.
"It will take around 8 weeks for that physical work to take place and then a power upgrade will be required in order to operate the machinery in there so fingers crossed, everything going according to schedule, the new x-ray services will be delivered from February of next year."
This will be a big relief for locals who currently have to travel hours to the John Hunter Hospital just to get a simple x-ray.
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| From left: Port Stephens Councillor Jaimie Abbott, Glen Dunkley, John Nell and the Honourary Catherine Cusack |
"Around 700 people hopefully won't have to make that 2-hour return trip to John Hunter anymore. Their x rays will be able to be taken here locally, the images can be assessed locally and if it's beyond the expertise of those doctors, they will be able to be transmitted instantly to other doctors," said Catherine Cusack.
Among those in attendance at the announcement were Port Stephens councillors Jaimie Abbott, Glen Dunkley and John Nell, as well as Port Stephens MP Kate Washington.
She says it's great to see these services coming to Tomaree and it's something which will benefit countless residents and visitors in the area.
"This is going to be a service that people from Medowie and further down towards Newcastle are going to be accessing alongside so many visitors that come to our peninsula. It's not only just a cost saving, this is about ensuring people get timely advice about their medical needs when they need it, where they need it."
Councillor, John Nell says he personally wants to see x-ray services up and running as soon as possible, given the number of injuries which tend to occur over the summer time.
"The service is really needed because there are lots of people particularly playing sport and in sport, you get all sorts of silly accidents and having an immediate x-ray is very beneficial. Over the summer time and Easter... young kinds being young kids, they run around and then all of a sudden, things happen so it's great to have this service," he said.
