Less money has been spent to date on the Bulli Hospital upgrade than the state government had planned.
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The latest hospital health check has revealed the long-awaited, multimillion-dollar project’s heart is beating, albeit slowly.
Last week’s 2016-17 state budget papers indicated less than $3 million will have been spent on the $34 million project by June 30.
However, a Mercury investigation into the limited spend has uncovered the $2.9 million listed as “estimated expenditure” was, in fact, a forecast figure.
According to NSW Health Infrastructure, less than half that money has been spent on the project to date, due to incomplete commercial negotiations with IRT.
“By 30 June 2016, $1.2 million will be spent on finalising the master plan, concept design and schematic design,” a Health Infrastructure spokeswoman said.
“$2.8 million was forecasted on the basis that Health Infrastructure would conclude commercial negotiations with IRT and site preparation/early works would begin. Commercial negotiations are still underway.
“During the 2016/17 financial year, the project team will finalise the design, carry out the tender process and begin construction.”
Keira Labor MP, and staunch Bulli Hospital advocate, Ryan Park said the government appeared to be “hell bent on delaying this project for as long as possible”.
“This is a massive budget underspend that patients in our community can’t afford to have happen,” Mr Park said.
“This project was a win for the community who fought for these upgrades and the [health] minister is tying it up in red tape.”
The new Bulli Aged Care Centre of Excellence (ACCE) is expected to be complete in 2018.
The ACCE, to be built opposite the existing hospital, would include a primary heath care centre, inpatient and aged care facilities and onsite clinical support services, such as medical imaging, pathology and pharmacy.
A 60-bed high-care residential aged care facility will be co-located on site, funded by $10.8 million from IRT.
Just over $9 million was allocated to the Bulli Hospital upgrade in the 2016-17 budget, a smaller amount than the $14.7 million set aside in last year’s budget.
The project’s budget is made up of $19.34 million from the health budget and $14.46 million from the Restart Illawarra infrastructure fund.
“While the $33.8 million is confirmed, funding is allocated annually as part of the budget process,” the spokeswoman said.
The lead design team for the project was appointed in November, with the design expected to be finalised in coming months.
A spokeswoman for IRT said the organisation had been “working collaboratively with Health Infrastructure and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District over the past few months on the planning phase of the Bulli Aged Care Centre of Excellence”.
“The master plan and concept design for the project have now been completed, with the schematic design soon to be finalised,” the spokesman said.
“The organisations are currently working to finalise all appropriate commercial agreements on this innovative public-private partnership.”