Today, 27 October 2018, residents from Southern NSW Local Health District are invited to attend a Community Open Day and discover the world-class facilities at South East Regional Hospital (SERH). Local Member for Bega, Andrew Constance MP has welcomed the Open Day. “I’m delighted local residents will have the opportunity to help celebrate the great work achieved by the hardworking staff,” said Mr Constance. “The hospital performs a vital function in the local community and it is so important that residents are aware of the wide variety of services available.” Bega Valley Health Service General Manager, Wendy Hubbard, explained that the Open Day is the opportunity for local residents to visit the hospital and find out more about the facilities and programs on offer. “We are here to keep the residents of the South East healthy and support them through major events and key milestones in their lives, like a birth in the family, the passing of a loved one or a personal health issue,” said Ms Hubbard. There will be stations and booths showcasing information available about healthy living, community health as well as health checks. Staff will also be available to answer questions about the variety services available at the hospital and general health questions. The Open Day is part of a state-wide pilot program, in which hospitals around NSW will open their doors to the general public throughout October and November. The $187 million state-of-the-art hospital is approaching its third year of operation. Built on a new site one kilometre south of the Bega CBD, the facility delivers modern healthcare to the Bega Valley and NSW South Coast communities. The 2018-19 budget for Southern NSW Local Health District is over $419 million, an increase of over $16 million on the 2017-18 annualised budget. Between mid-2012 and mid-2018, SNSWLHD has increased its workforce by an additional 440 full time equivalent staff – an increase of 24.9 per cent, including 28 more doctors and 142 more nurses. In 2018-19 the NSW Government is investing a record $22.9 billion in health, representing a $1.1 billion increase over the 2017-18 Budget. This includes $19.2 billion towards improving services in hospitals in NSW this year. More information about the Open Day is available at www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au and via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #NSWHealthOpenDay.
