MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was joined by Moree Plains Shire Mayor Katrina Humphries and representatives from Hunter New England Health today to mark the start of construction of the new, purpose-built, $2 million Renal Dialysis Unit at Moree District Hospital.
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The new eight-chair unit is being built adjacent to the existing hospital and will herald a new era in renal treatment in Moree, according to Mr Marshall, with a more spacious and comfortable are for patients and hospital staff.
“This new unit is being built with the future health care needs of the Moree district in mind, equipped with three extra chairs compared with the existing facility, which was completely funded by the local community,” he said.
“There will also be an isolation chair, for patients at risk of infection or require private treatment – that’s something we’ve never had before in this community.”
This construction is just the latest development in the Health Infrastructure revolution the Northern Tablelands is experiencing and one that has been long wished-for in Moree.
Mr Marshall said local patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease were not able to access their treatment at home and Moree Hospital was at capacity in trying to accommodate demand for dialysis.
“I’ve spoken with a number of locals who have had to endure the six-hour round trip to Tamworth three times each week for dialysis treatment,” Mr Marshall said.
“This situation is out of reach for many and debilitating for those who can and now there is hope with this new unit being built.
“Hospital staff and the local support volunteers need to give themselves a well-deserved pat on the back for helping secure this new facility, as well as providing care to patients even when resources were stretched.
“Extra shifts were run to by Moree Hospital Staff to accommodate as many patients as possible and the original Unit was funded by members of the local Community thanks to the efforts of the Moree Renal Support Group.”
The new facility will be designed to modern standards and will be spacious with a pleasant outlook. The additional room means renal patients are able to more easily have visitors with dialysis often taking many hours. The new 8-chair facility will replace the old 5-chair facility and be built by regional company Rice Construction.
“The new facility is expected to be open and fully operational by the end of the year, much to the relief of many Moree residents and I congratulate everyone involved for seeing this vital project come to fruition” Mr Marshall said.
