Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling, says mental health services and parking at Port Macquarie Base Hospital could be addressed during the 4th and 5th pods' construction if the Coalition stands by its $75 million health pledge.

Mr Besseling said the $110 million upgrade announced last week would deliver new operating theatres, a new medical bed inpatient unit, a critical care unit and an expanded emergency department, as well as the cardiac cath lab and other medical services.

However, he said two problem areas remained –mental health services and car parking.

"If the Coalition was genuine about its $75 million offer this month, it would commit these funds to an expanded mental health unit and car park at the hospital," Mr Besseling said.

"There is a real need for both issues to be addressed and there's no better time to do that than during the planning and construction phase of the hospital's $110 million expansion.

"Now is the time for the Coalition to make good on its promise to invest in our hospital and allay any concerns that their pledge was not genuine because they knew the Health and Hospitals Board would deliver the 4th Pod.

"In Tamworth, the Nationals candidate maintains the $100m hospital pledge for Tamworth Base is independent of federal funding and 'will stay'.

"If the Coalition's health pledge remains relevant for Tamworth, despite the federal government's commitment to rebuild its base hospital, then Port Macquarie is entitled to expect the same," Mr Besseling said.

The funding guarantee from The Nationals' Tamworth candidate can be read at:
Northern Daily Leader
No Strings to Tamworth redevelopment pledge
March 9, 2011

www.northerndailyleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/no-strings-to-tam...