IT’s been a long time coming but the new Tomaree Community Hospital and HealthOne Facility is now complete.

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The project is one of the most significant investments in community health in the region in many years.

There was no pomp, no ceremony, and no ribbon cutting to mark the occasion; just medical personnel getting on with the job at hand.

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.

It was a truly COVID-19 socially distant opening with a simple statement made by Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Catherine Cusack stating that construction of the Tomaree HealthOne facility is now complete, with Graph Building officially handing over the building to Hunter New England Health.

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

“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,” said Ms Cusack.

The HealthOne Centre delivers services tailored to residents of the Tomaree Peninsula including a general practice, expanded medical imaging, community allied health, pathology and dental.

The GP service will take the heat off the emergency department particularly in busy times with triage staff able to direct patients to the most appropriate service.

“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,” she said.

Ms Cusack went on to thank the local community for their patience during construction and especially thank the nurses, doctors and other hospital staff for their invaluable input into the project.

While a big change for local services, the new Tomaree Community Hospital and Health Centre will still see patients ferried to The Mater and John Hunter Hospitals in Newcastle for specialist care.

The HealthOne model is designed to improve the patient experience by providing care outside the hospital system, reducing wait times for specialist care, and helps to reduce avoidable stays in hospital.

By Marian SAMPSON