Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was in Moree on Friday, February 16 to announce the funding, which he said is a big win for the Moree community.

“This hospital is an amazing place, we’ve got some amazing staff and I get so much really positive feedback from the community about the treatment people receive in this facility,” he said.

“But no matter how good our staff are, there’s only so much they can do when we have so much demand for a service like renal dialysis.

“We have the five-chair unit in a space that’s not built specifically for renal dialysis, it’s in what was a vacant part of the hospital, and it’s almost at capacity.

“We have a growing demand for dialysis, not just in Moree but right across the region. 

“So we’ve needed a new purpose-built renal dialysis unit here for Moree and I’m very pleased to announce the government is allocating $2 million to enable Hunter New England Health to call for tenders and to build a brand new renal dialysis unit here in Moree.”

The state-of-the-art facility will be built onto the main hospital building and will include eight chairs – including an isolated chair to prevent the spread of infection –  and additional space for each patient.

“It’ll be a great place for the staff to work in, it’ll be designed specifically for renal dialysis and it will cater for the growing demand on that service in the community,” Mr Marshall said.

Mr Marshall said the new facility will not only meet current demands for renal dialysis, but will meet the needs of the Moree community for many years to come.

“To not have to have people travel away to allow them to undertake the treatment that they need in their own community, that is for me what today is all about; it’s absolutely terrific,” he said.

Hunter New England Health executive director for rural and regional health Susan Heyman said the funding announcement is fabulous news.

“There’s been a lot of work been done over a long period of time, recognising a need for increased dialysis opportunities for people to have it here, closer to home and not travel, which is great,” she said.

“I think most people recognise that dialysis is not like any other treatment. It’s not a treatment that you come in, have for an hour and then go home and not come back to the hospital for another couple of years.

“It’s treatment that’s often required on a regular basis. People may have to come two or three times a week, so it is really important that we have a facility that’s pleasant, that’s a nice place for people to sit for that period of time and that they can do that as close to home as possible.”

There is a significant demand for renal dialysis in Moree, with some people having to travel or even relocate for treatment.

There are currently 12 patients receiving dialysis treatment, each requiring it at least three times per week for five to six hours a day.

Health service manager Bronwyn Cosh said the new facility will improve patient safety as well as their comfort.

“It’ll be a longer area and more private for patients,” she said.

“We’re thrilled to be getting to getting a new unit in Moree. We’ve been planning for it for the past year, so to see it come to fruition is fabulous.

“We’re very grateful for the ongoing support of the Renal Support Committee. They fundraise for patient comfort and are very generous to the rest of the hospital, not just the renal unit.”

Moree Renal Support committee treasurer Lola Shearer has been campaigning for renal dialysis in Moree since 2001 when the committee raised $60,000 for the five-chair unit.

Ms Shearer said Friday’s announcement was wonderful news.

“It’s very, very significant,” she said.

“A new facility means more room but it means no-one has to travel away and do the six-hour round trip to Tamworth or three hours to Inverell.”

Ms Heyman said the tender was going out on Friday, February 16, and following a five-week tender process, the successful applicant will commence development.