“This is a significant milestone for the Murrumburrah Harden community and means that beginning construction of our new health service is only weeks away,” Ms Cooke said.

“This redevelopment will deliver a range of emergency, inpatient, residential aged care, care in the community and ambulatory care services."

Ms Cooke said that she believes the upgraded facility will provide flexible services to better respond to the health needs of the Murrumburrah Harden community, and ensure health care is provided in an integrated and coordinated manner.

Funding for the Murrumburrah Harden Health Service is part of the NSW Liberals and Nationals $300 million Multipurpose Service strategy to provide health and aged care services for regional communities.

One in every three dollars in NSW Health is spent in rural or regional NSW.

Ms Cooke invited NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard to meet with locals and staff in Harden Murrumburrah at the site of the development on Wednesday afternoon.

“Investment in health in regional communities is vital and this redevelopment will provide a flow on effect locally with the hope that new infrastructure can lead to retaining more staff to better serve the community,” Mr Hazzard said.

Richard Crookes Construction has built other hospital redevelopments including projects in Wagga Wagga, Tumbarumba, Tamworth and Parkes.

Health Infrastructure and Murrumbidgee Local Health District will continue to keep the local community and staff informed as the project progresses with community information sessions and newsletter updates. Murrumbidgee Local Health District encourages everyone to come their next community consultation, to have some input into possible uses for the old building once the new facility is complete.