A one-stop shop that promises to deliver improved services to residents in the Tomaree Peninsula has been officially handed over to Hunter New England Health today.

The new facility, to be known as Tomaree Community Hospital and Health Centre, is part of the NSW Government’s $100 million investment in 20 HealthOne projects across the state.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Catherine Cusack, thanked the local community for its patience during the construction phase, as well as the nurses, doctors and other hospital staff for their invaluable input.

“Construction of the Tomaree HealthOne Facility commenced in late 2018 and aims to create a stronger and more efficient primary health care system that allows General Practitioners to work with community health providers and other health professionals in multidisciplinary teams,” Ms Cusack said.

“This project delivers services tailored to residents of the Tomaree Peninsula including general practice, expanded medical imaging, community allied health, pathology and dental.

“The new hospital now has one entrance and one reception for all health services delivered on site, making it easier for people to navigate, and will service the community with the added benefit of being directly connected with the hospital, providing patients with an integrated health care experience.”

The HealthOne model improves the patient experience by providing care outside the hospital system, reduces wait times for specialist care, and reduces avoidable stays in hospital.

The Tomaree project was delivered over four stages of construction work:

• Stage 1 – new southern carpark constructed, late 2018.
• Stage 2 – construction of the new 1300 square metre facility completed in late 2019 with services commencing in the new patient consult rooms.
• Stage 3 – Demolition of existing demountable community health and medical centre buildings, completed in early 2020.
• Stage 4 – Connection of the new HealthOne extension with the existing Hospital. This work included the refurbishment and integration of the existing Emergency Department waiting area, reception, triage and consult rooms.

Key features of the new hospital include integrated care provided through GPs and Community Health practitioners, structured multidisciplinary team care, and provides care across the spectrum from prevention through to continuing care.