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 nine 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.

Current Status

In the Gunnedah region there is a strong professional and community support for the concept of a "one stop shop" health service where integrated primary health care services provided in a team-based environment. It is in line with current Federal and State initiatives for integrated primary health care delivery.

Over the last 12 months focus has been to progress the funding for the project and following has taken place:

Letter of intent from BHP - $500,000. GRH Ltd has recently submitted a funding application for this funding.
Announcement in the 09/10 Budget saw that Gunnedah Rural Health Centre (GRHC) Project would receive $500,000 through the Health and Hospital Fund for planning and design of the project. A funding application was submitted by the Barwon Division of General Practice on behalf of Gunnedah Rural Health Ltd for this funding.
November 2009 GRH Ltd was advised that the Federal Government would consider the GRHC project as a GP Super Clinic, however an application would need to be submitted for consideration. The GP Super Clinic Funding Agreement with the Federal Government was signed in March 2010.
December 2009 Shenhua Watermark Coal Ltd donated $1 million.
A number of joint funding applications with the University of New England, Barwon Division of General Practice and NSW Rural Doctors Network have been submitted for funding to fit out the Education and Training Wing outcome of these applications are still unknown.
Currently in negotiations with Santos re funding of equipment for the Education and Training Wing

The following progress had been made:

DA Application was approved by Council in April 2010.
Revised plans have been made.
An agreement has been signed between Kelley Covey Group (a Tamworth firm) & GRH Ltd to be Project Manager for the construction phase.
GRH Ltd has received a verbal approval for the agreement to lease and lease agreement from HNEAHS for the land.
An expression of interest process was undertaken to determine whether Healthscope or Symbion would be offered the lease for the pathology wing in the centre. Healthscope was the successful candidate.
North West Imaging has submitted a letter of intent to share some of the Pathology area.
Still working on the DGR status due to recently receiving notification that we had been unsuccessful) Barwon Division of General Practice has provided us with the ability to use their DGR status.

The project is currently in the Design Phase. The final design will be completed by July 2010.

Tender process will commence in August 2010 with recommendations put to GRH Ltd Board to finalise and award tender.

Construction is due to commence in early September 2010. Building phase is expected to be 12 months.

Quantity Surveyor provided an estimate in November 2009 and a further quantity surveyor estimate will be sources prior to the tender documents going out.