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Health facilities within the Walgett Shire have been in the spotlight this week.
The delay in the commencement of the Lightning Ridge Health Service has been raised. With an expected commencement date of May 17 and completion September 24 questions have been asked.
Far West Area Health Service Upper Western Sector Manager, Stephen Batts, said the modular construction of the health service has fallen behind program by several weeks due to manufacturing problems at the Forbes factory.
“The contractors, Thiess, has advised that they are now using the Parkes factory to supplement production at Forbes and intend recovering the lost time.
“They have advised that planned completion of the facility will be by Christmas,” he said.
Possible downgrading of equipment and fittings has compounded the disappointment of a late commencement date.
However these suggestions were refuted by Mr Batts who said, “there had been no change to the upwardly revised allocation of $331,000 from $84,000 for the provision of furniture, fittings and equipment for Lightning Ridge.”
Rumblings of bed closures at Walgett Hospital were also clarified by Mr Batts.
Mr Batts said the Walgett Health Service is currently undergoing renovations and there are some temporary closures of beds to ensure patient safety.
“A 16 week project is underway to renovate the facility’s bathrooms.
“During this time we are needing to temporarily close some of the health service’s 31 beds to ensure the safety of our patients.
“We do regret any inconvenience these renovations may cause and we thank the community for their understanding but we are expecting disruption will be kept to a minimum,” he concluded.
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