The announcement of extra hospital beds for the Port Macquarie Base Hospital along with the planning commitment to building the hospital's "fourth pod", is great news for clinicians, patients and the community in general, Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling, said today.

"Today's announcement of $600,000 for a Strategic Procurement Plan/Project Definition Plan is a big step towards the realisation of expanded health infrastructure at the hospital, and a solid commitment by government towards a capital works investment,” Mr Besseling said.

"Since the now infamous comments by the former NSW health minister that the fourth pod hospital expansion project was not ‘shovel ready’, lobbying efforts have concentrated on two main objectives. Firstly, to relieve the current pressures on staff and infrastructure through the immediate recurrent funding of extra beds at the hospital and secondly, to gain funding for the detailed planning documents that would see the expansion project promoted to the point of being ‘shovel ready’.

"This is an important step in the construction process, as no project can commence without the preparation of these detailed plans and the significant funding attached to the plans are evidence of a firm commitment to the Port Macquarie Base Hospital expansion.

"In addition to the announcement of an extra nine acute beds and one intensive care unit bed for the hospital, there has also been over half a million dollars allocated to expand the hospital in the home program and more than $290,000 for new equipment for the emergency department and operating theatres,” Mr Besseling said.

"Out-of-hospital care is a vital program that provides good clinical outcomes and an efficient and effective treatment that benefits not only patients but also reduces the burdens on our already-stretched health system. The program will continue to provide an ever-increasing role in the delivery of health services to our community.

"This significant funding announcement is welcomed by our community and attention will now turn to finalising the planning documents and seeking a commitment from government to funding those plans,” Mr Besseling said.