John Hunter Shuttle Bus Restored And ADHD Clinic Announced For Wallsend

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Health Minister has confirmed the park-and-ride shuttle service will return to the John Hunter Hospital. 

The service was established in 2007 in a bid to alleviate car parking pressures at the hospital, but was scrapped in 2015 when more than 700 new parking spaces were added at the facility.

The first shuttle is expected to be up and running by mid next year. 

On a tour of the Hospital's new Health and Innovation Precinct, Ryan Park, said the Hunter New England Health District has started investigating a route for the service. 

"I've asked the planners, along with the Local Health District whether there needs to be any changes to the previous route," he said. 

"We'll make sure we get something that is fit for purpose, but that works in 2023/2024, not necessarily focused on what we did 8 years ago... but if that is the best and most useful route still, than that's what we'll work on." 

Mr. Park has also announced the establishment of a new ADHD clinic for young patients in the district. 

The Wallsend clinic will act as a trial program for the next two years, as the state government looks to enhance ADHD support in regional parts of NSW. 

Mr. Park says it means patients won't have to travel to hospital for diagnosis and treatment. 

"This is about making sure that we take pressure off paediatric waitlists. It's working in partnership with their GPs, but it's also about getting that early diagnosis, that early access to treatment, that early access to support, to make sure that we provide those wrap-around services and support that young people need."  

Labor Commits to Restore John Hunter Shuttle Bus Service

BY DANEIE GEDDES

The John Hunter Hospital shuttle bus service is set to be restored if Labor is elected on March 25, eight years after it was shut down by the Liberal government. 

The service will allow visitors to park at McDonald Jones Stadium and embark on the shuttle to the hospital's front door.  

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, said the service will play a crucial role in addressing transport and parking concerns for both patients and healthcare workers. 

"Workers liked the shuttle from the stadium because they could park there for free and have the ease of just being able to park and hop on a bus," she said. 

"People with disabilities and the elderly liked it too, because not only could they park easily at the stadium, but they had a beautiful door to door service."

The service will also be crucial for managing transport and parking issues, given future expansion plans for the hospital. 

"There is a lot to do and that won't be accomplished overnight, but with real commitment we can start chipping away at some of our real major problems that have occurred in the hospital system in the last 12 years," Ms Hornery said. 

Labor has proposed the restoral of the service as a fresh start for rebuilding and repairing the NSW healthcare system and says it's the first step in a long-term plan to address ongoing concerns from Hunter residents and healthcare workers.

Automated Vehicle Trial in Wine Country

BY ARIANA GATTI

If you thought touring the Hunter's wine region is an experience and-a-half, how do driverless vehicles sound?

Singleton Council has joined forces with HMI Technologies, Professional Data Kinetics and Around Hermitage Association to produce an expression of interest for the new vehicle trial to proceed.

The expression is hoped to be presented to NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, and gain approval for the automated shuttle network to be pushed around the Hunter Valley and Pokolbin area.

The driverless shuttle is planned to deliver customers between the famous wineries, restaurants and accommodation across a 6 Kilometer drive.

The route will cross along Hermitage Road, set against the Brokenback Mountain Range and the surrounds.

Mayor of Singleton, Sue Moore, believes this new service has the potential to bring more job and economic opportunities to the area, with levels of interest, thought to peak as a result of the innovative vehicle service.

"The reality is, a driverless network is a perfect solution for visitors to Hermitage Road to experience the food and wine, craft beer, olive groves and day spas our region is famous for," says Moore.

The trial is expected to introduce two new technical-related jobs, aiming to support additional job prospects in tourism and engineering.

Moore says, "It'll be safe, comfortable, and most importantly it will support the local economy."

Image sourced: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g255328-d318294-i80329546-Mount_Pleasant_Wines-Pokolbin_Greater_Newcastle_New_South_Wales.html