ABOUT THE PROJECT

Background

It has long been recognised that in rural areas there has been a continuing decline in the health of our residents due to decreasing numbers of health providers and fragmentation of health provision. In 2005 the Gunnedah Medical Forum was developed with stakeholders from the Gunnedah GPS, the Barwon Division of General Practice, Gunnedah Shire Council, Gunnedah Health Service, Hunter New England Area Health Service, NSW Rural Doctors Network, University Department of Rural Health (University of Newcastle), Joint Medical School (combined medical schools of University of Newcastle and New England University) and the New England Area Training Service (NEATS, the regional training consortia).

In 2007 a scoping study was undertaken by the NSW Rural Doctors Network finding that there were several viable options for establishing a health facility in Gunnedah. Community forums were held with some of the largest public attendances seen in Gunnedah. There has been overwhelming support for the proposed development of an intergrated health centre from the community and organisations involved in the provision of health care.

In 2008 a not-for-profit company with ten directors was formed. The directors include a representative from the medical practitioners, the Barwon Division of General Practice CEO, The Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager, a representative from the Gunnedah allied health private practitioners, and three community representatives who bring skills as Directors of the Board.

The company will be responsible for the direction of the design, construction and establishment of the Gunnedah Rural Health Centre and will also oversee the future management of the centre.

In 2009 and 2010 the focus was on sourcing funds and the following was achieved:

• Announcement in the federal government’s 2009/10 budget saw the GRHC project received $500,000 through the Health and Hospital Fund for planning and design. This funding was received through Barwon Division of General Practice.
• $1 million donated by Shenhua
• $4.3 million GP Super Clinic – Federal Government Funding
• $500,000 donated by BHP Billiton
• Application submitted by BDGP on behalf of GRH Ltd to obtain funding through the National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program to fit out the education centre was successful. $154,057
• $100,000 donated by Santos to go towards IT fit out for the centre’s education wing.
• $100,000 raised by the community of Gunnedah
• $50,000 donated by the Manildra Group
• Healthscope was awarded the lease of the centre’s pathology wing.

Current Status

The following progess has been made:

• Baxter O’Hara was awarded the building tender for the project.

• In May 2011 the Federal Minister for Health, Hon Nicola Roxon and Member for New England Tony Windsor turned the first sod for the centre.

• Construction began on May 16. The construction phase will be 44 weeks.

View our photo gallery to see the progress being made.