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Tender preparations underway for Eurobodalla radiotherapy services

Member for Eden Monaro Kristy McBain and Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips accepting the One Eurobodalla Petition from the Late Cathie Hurst on 3 Nov 2021.

Updated: 3pm 

The Eurobodalla community is one step closer to local access to radiotherapy services with a procurement process planned to commence shortly.

NSW Health and HealthShare NSW will soon invite interested parties to respond to a Request for Proposal via the ‘buy NSW Tenders’ platform, with an advance notification to suppliers already released. Proposals will then be requested to provide a general radiation therapy service in the Eurobodalla region of Southern NSW Local Health District.

The Request for Proposal follows a successful market sounding process and the completion of a preliminary business case.

Construction has recently commenced on the new $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital (ERH). The new ERH will be larger than both Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined, designed with the capacity to grow as demand for services changes.

The ERH Master Plan has identified a future development footprint which would be able to incorporate a radiation therapy service on site, adjacent to the hospital development.

Major works have commenced at the site, with a large mobile crane recently delivered to support construction.

With a maximum height of just over 70 metres, the crawler crane can lift up to 110 tonnes and will be used to carry a range of heavy building materials required for construction of the new hospital.

The $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will include:

  • Emergency Department
  • Eight-bed Intensive Care / Close Observation Unit
  • Increased capacity for chemotherapy and increased access to renal dialysis
  • Surgical and operating theatres and a day stay surgical unit
  • Expanded medical imaging department, including MRI service
  • Ambulatory care for community and outpatient services
  • Paediatric and maternity beds, and a special care nursery
  • Mental health beds for short term admission
  • Enhanced education and training facilities, including a simulation lab.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park said  “I am pleased this milestone achieved, as we work closely with the Australian Government to deliver radiotherapy services to the Eurobodalla community.

“The new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will significantly improve local access to healthcare. The addition of a radiation therapy service would further reduce the impact of travel and time away from home.”

Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland said  “I’ve long advocated for radiotherapy in the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.

“I’ve been watching progress very closely, this year so far there has been some great developments on site with the concrete pour in January and the recent arrival of a tower crane.

“We’re committed to building modern, accessible healthcare services for the people of the Eurobodalla region.”

ONE Eurobodalla Hospital petitioners for local radiotherapy services Fitzroy and Mylene Boulting, said –  “After four years of persistent advocacy, our community welcomes signs of progress toward securing local access to radiotherapy. In December 2024, the SNSWLHD’s Chief Executive had already indicated that a market sounding process was set to begin “shortly,” and we’ve now been informed that the Request For Tenders (RFT) is also set to begin “soon”.

While we recognize the importance of following a formal process, with such rubbery timelines we must remain vigilant and sceptical, as timing is crucial. We have always been eager to see a radiotherapy centre ready to operate alongside our new Regional Hospital when it opens in 2027: this was our promise to late friend and fellow ONE Advocate campaigner cancer victim Cathie Hurst.

We are also aware that the NSW Government will need financial support from the Commonwealth to make this happen. We remain hopeful that the Federal team who have been so supportive of our community campaign will be returned and continue to champion this cause when the request is made. We support our current Members because they are the only ones to have shown interest in and actively supported getting an LRS in our region.”

Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP said  “I am proud to have delivered $8 million from the Albanese Labor Government for radiotherapy services in the Eurobodalla, and I’m so pleased to see another big step is being taken to seeing this become a reality.

“This is a project I have fought hard to secure for many years alongside Dr Holland and many members of our community, because local people deserve to have these life saving health treatments close to home.

“I am so excited to see the long-awaited new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital coming to life, this will transform the local health experience for people in our community.”

Construction of the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital is due for completion in 2027.

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