NSW Labor leader Michael Daley says his $434 million commitment to a full upgrade of Shoalhaven District Hospital is "iron-clad", promising works will commence in the first term of government if elected in the upcoming election.
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On February 6, the NSW opposition leader pledged to match the government’s election promise for a $434 million upgrade to Shoalhaven Hospital. On Tuesday he re-visited the region to guarantee the promise.
"I wanted to drop in here with [South Coast labor candidate Annette Alldrick] to say hello to the nurses and people who work at the hospital, just to sign in blood our commitment to the $434 million upgrade of this hospital," he said.
"[This is] so there can be no misunderstanding, no skulduggery this is an iron clad commitment if I become the Premier."
Ms Alldrick, who is a former nurse at the hospital, said the big problem was the shortage of medical and surgical beds and the outdated operating theatres.
"Sometimes people are waiting 20, 30, 40 hours in the emergency department for a bed in the hospital," she said.
"It's inpatient and surgical beds that are needed."
Ms Alldrick's husband is a nurse, which made nurse-to-patient ratios all the more important for her, and Mr Daley - who committed to introducing them in all regional hospitals across the state if elected.
"Labor is committed to mandated nurse-to-patient ratios fr this hospital, the same nurse to patients ratios that are mandated in the cityhave," she said.
"Nusrses have been asking for that for years and it's what we need for the safety of our patients."
Mr Daley said if elected, work on the major redevelopment would begin quickly.
"We will get cracking here well within the first term of government," he said.