Newcastle's Park And Ride Service Extended

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council has committed to funding the park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium into the city for at least another year.

For the past 4 months, council has funded the service on a month-to-month basis after state funding ended with the opening of the light rail line.

Council has now locked in a contract with Keolis Downer which will see the cost of a return trip increase slightly to $4.60.

Around 1000 people use the service each week and council hopes the consistent patronage will help push the case for extending the light rail line.

McDonald Jones Stadium Manager Brett Campbell, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and commuter Jenni Payne

NSW Health Minister to Review Issues with Hunter Hospitals

BY ALICE PEART

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has met with the state Health Minister to raise concerns from the community over key issues in the Hunter health system.

Ms Hornery said it was a brief but productive discussion covering three things:

"It was about security guards and ensuring that we can look at a review of what we need in hospitals to make sure that staff and patients are safe.

We looked at waiting times and we also talked about the congestion and gridlock that's at the John Hunter Hospital with an emphasis on the mornings and afternoons and our quest to reinstate the shuttle service, because we know it was a very successful and popular service".

Reviews into the issues are expected to be initiated in the coming weeks with Ms Hornery saying she will be keeping a close eye on the process and that she expects the Minister to be accountable for some outcomes.