Month: April 2025

The Central Coast Local Health District is continuing to expand its safe, high quality and compassionate maternity care at Gosford Hospital for the Central Coast community.

With the operator of Gosford Private Hospital Healthe Care ceasing private maternity services today, Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has expanded its services to meet the expected additional demand for maternity care.

Gosford Hospital provides comprehensive 24-hour midwifery, obstetric, anaesthetic, and paediatric support, including a Special Care Nursery.

CCLHD is meeting regularly with local private obstetricians to ensure a smooth transition for women who choose to birth with a private provider at Gosford Hospital.

Earlier this month, the Federal Government announced $10 million commitment to support the Minns Labor Government to support existing local maternity services available to the Central Coast community.

Approximately 3,000 babies are born each year with the support of CCLHD’s maternity services. Gosford Hospital is preparing for up to an additional 400 births annually following the closure of Gosford Private Hospital’s maternity services.

A recruitment drive to fill vacant senior obstetrics and gynaecology positions has been successful, including recently commenced individual Heads of Department for Obstetrics, and for Gynaecology.

Further visiting medical officer and staff specialist positions are currently being recruited.

Maternity care is provided across the CCLHD with birthing services at Gosford Hospital or with the publicly-funded homebirth service, which offers women with low-risk pregnancies the choice to birth at home.

Women are also able to access antenatal care at Wyong Hospital and postnatal care in their home through Midwifery in the Home. In addition, women and their families have access to child and family health services across the Central Coast, to support breastfeeding, infant feeding, early parenting, child development, and immunisation.

To ensure CCLHD’s obstetrics and gynaecology services continue to meet the needs of the community well into the future, a clinical services plan for its women, children and families’ services is being developed, with a focus on maternity services.

To support development of the plan the community is being asked to provide their insights via a survey promoted on social media, throughout CCLHD’s women, children and families’ services and on the CCLHD website here: https://www.cclhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services/maternity/ The survey closes 4 April 2025.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park

“I can assure women on the Central Coast that they can rely on safe, high-quality maternity care should they choose to give birth at Gosford Hospital.

“The recent recruitment efforts of the Local Health District means Gosford Hospital is well placed to handle the expected increase in activity.”

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris

“The NSW Government is committed to safe, high quality health facilities and hospitals for all Central Coast residents. The expansion of services at Gosford Hospital for maternity care continues this commitment.

“We know there has been strong interest in midwifery opportunities with almost all vacant permanent positions filled, ensuring CCLHD has enough highly skilled and experienced midwives to support Central Coast women.”

Residents of Temora and surrounding communities are invited to view and provide feedback on the Temora Health Service Redevelopment planning documents, with the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) now on public exhibition until Friday, 2 May 2025.

The $95 million investment in the Temora Health Service Redevelopment will deliver a new health service building which will integrate health services under one roof to support contemporary models of care and enhance accessibility for consumers.

The REF and hospital designs have been informed by extensive consultation with staff, stakeholders and the community, including through information sessions on the design, held last year.

The redevelopment includes construction of a new single-storey building, which will house an expanded medical imaging unit, including new ultrasound and CT services. 

New courtyards will be created offering direct outdoor access from key areas including the inpatient lounge, birthing room, rehabilitation gymnasium, staff room and reception area. New landscaped seating areas will provide a welcoming and supportive space for patients, staff and visitors. 

Improved car parking for visitors and a separate emergency vehicle entry to improve access is also planned to be included as part of the design.

Construction is expected to start in late-2025, following the planning approval and the appointment of a building contractor.

The REF and supporting technical documents is available on the Health Infrastructure website.

Feedback can be provided until 11.59pm on Friday, 2 May 2025.

For information on the REF and to ask any questions, please contact the project team at MLHD-Temora-Redevelopment@health.nsw.gov.au.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Health Infrastructure will continue to work with community stakeholders and staff to ensure the $95 million redevelopment meets the future health needs of the growing Temora community.

For further information, visit the Temora Health Service redevelopment project webpage. 

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The $95 million investment in the Temora Health Service Redevelopment will ensure the delivery of modern hospital and healthcare facilities to support the current and future health needs of communities in Temora and the Murrumbidgee region.

“This is a significant milestone for the redevelopment project, which will increase medical imaging capability for the region with the addition of an ultrasound and CT machine.

“We’re grateful for the input provided by staff and community into the planning process for the project which will enhance health facilities and services in the region.”

Government Spokesperson for Cootamundra, Stephen Lawrence, MLC:

“I’m delighted to see planning for the Temora Health Service Redevelopment reach this significant milestone, which will boost health services for patients, families and their carers across the Murrumbidgee region.

“We encourage the community to provide their feedback on the plans while they are on public exhibition.

“This is an important milestone in the $95 million investment, which brings us one step closer to delivering a modern new health facility for the Temora community.”

The NSW Government has today released the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 – a landmark strategy to cement NSW’s position as the innovation powerhouse of Australia and a leader in high-value industries.

With NSW accounting for 65 per cent of the nation’s venture capital investment in 2024, and home to five out of eight Australian unicorn companies (valued over $1 billion), the state is already a recognised leader in driving economic growth through innovation.

However, this is a position that cannot be taken for granted.

There is a global contest for talent and investment and the Government will not repeat the decade of Liberal-National delay.

The NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 sets clearly defined goals and priority action areas that will guide how the NSW Government designs programs, allocates funding, and works with innovation stakeholders.

This will help NSW grow more unicorns like Afterpay, Atlassian, Canva and Safety Culture in the years ahead.

The NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 complements the NSW Industry Policy released earlier this month, which sets out the Government’s long-term vision and plans for the economic future of NSW.  

Key actions from the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 include:

• A strategic approach to funding: Ensure existing and future programs are easy to navigate, more equitable, and support key industries identified in the Industry Policy.
• World class places: Enhance access and use of NSW’s world-class facilities and continue to develop Tech Central as a flagship innovation district.
• Talent development: Support people in the ecosystem through increasing collaboration and enhancing innovation hubs, including supporting founders from diverse backgrounds, Western Sydney, and rural and regional areas.
• Global attraction: Explore launching an annual Tech Week and engage with global and local investors to bolster international venture capital investment into NSW.

The NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 also sets a target of $27 billion in additional investment for the NSW economy over the next 10 years from innovation-intensive firms, and nearly 100,000 additional jobs.

The development of the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 has been informed by extensive consultation with innovation stakeholders, including a summit at NSW Parliament House, and a series of roundtables with industry bodies, startups, scaleups and venture capital investors.

Former Tech Council of Australia CEO Kate Pounder also carried out a comprehensive assessment of the NSW innovation ecosystem to identify current challenges and opportunities.

Ms Pounder’s report, also released today, found that while NSW benefits immensely from its current advantages in innovation, it is facing fierce competition domestically and internationally for its key industries and jobs.

Ms Pounder also found that existing supports in NSW are not always targeted at the most pressing needs or gaps in the innovation ecosystem, which the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 seeks to address.

The Government’s vision is clear – we want NSW to be the best place to innovate, so that innovative businesses can create more economic and social opportunities for the people of NSW, and to help tackle the state’s most important challenges.

Read the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035, Pounder Review, and the ‘What We Heard’ Report, a qualitative summary of ecosystem stakeholder feedback collected during consultation on the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 on the Investment NSW website.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Today the Minns Labor Government is releasing our NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035, which provides a clear strategic policy direction for fostering growth and prosperity in the state’s innovation ecosystem and tech sector.

“NSW has a proud track record of innovation, but we cannot rest on our laurels. Together with the recent release of the NSW Industry Policy, the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 will ensure we stay ahead of the curve, create quality jobs and drive economic growth. This can’t be achieved without focusing on our state’s most important resource – its people.

“By addressing inequities and fostering inclusivity, we’re ensuring every talented entrepreneur and innovator in NSW has the chance to thrive.

“But this is about more than just tech – we are supporting innovation across all industries, to make a more productive economy and help build a better NSW.

“I want to thank Kate Pounder for her insights, and the feedback from hundreds of individuals, businesses and institutions that have helped inform the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035.

“The work done to produce the final Blueprint been a significant collaborative effort and one that ensures NSW continues its trajectory as an innovation powerhouse.”

Pounder Review Author and Former CEO of the Tech Council of Australia Kate Pounder:

“Committing to a strategic vision for the innovation ecosystem through the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 is huge step forward to ensuring NSW maintains its position as a world leader in the tech sector.”

Tech Council of Australia CEO Damian Kassabgi:

“NSW is the largest contributor to Australia’s innovation economy, and a clear path forward for the tech sector’s growth is long awaited and welcome.

“The Tech Council of Australia thanks Minister Chanthivong for taking this important first step with the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035, and we look forward to seeing practical outcomes from this plan to give NSW tech companies the support they need.”

Country Manager for Afterpay Australia, on behalf of Block Inc. Katrina Konstas:

“Block Inc is proud to be a resident of Sydney’s Tech Central precinct, a recent move solidifying our local commitment.

“The NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 sets an ambitious and focused course for the continued growth of NSW’s innovation ecosystem.

“We look forward to continuing to build an environment that attracts the next wave of innovators, entrepreneurs, technologists and scientists.

“Setting targets of $27 billion of additional investment demonstrates the leadership and support that tech startups need to grow their businesses and to ensure lasting success.”

Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter:

“Innovation and tech entrepreneurs are all across NSW and Business NSW fully supports any efforts to magnify their efforts.

“The NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 focus on female founders and diverse backgrounds across the state is welcome as everyone deserves support on their entrepreneurial journey.”

Head of Policy at the Committee for Sydney and Chair of the Innovation District Alliance Jeremy Gill:

“This is a clear signal to industry that innovation is core to the NSW Government’s economic agenda, and it is determined to unlock the state’s significant potential for job creation and investment attraction.

“Sydney is an innovation city, and so the Innovation Blueprint’s recognition of the need for a place-based focus to nurture NSW’s innovation ecosystem and the importance of a whole-of-government approach is strongly welcomed.”

The Minns Labor Government has launched the Expert Advisory Network (EAN), a new initiative to better utilise in-house expertise across the public sector and reduce its reliance on external consultants. 

Established in the Premier’s Department, the network has created an initial list of 30 existing teams across the public service. They will be able to provide projects across government with specialist advice and project support, including on policy and strategy, stakeholder engagement, financial and commercial services, actuarial services, infrastructure, technology, and environmental services.

Teams already on the list include Investment NSW’s economic and analytics capabilities team and Multicultural NSW’s interpretation and translation services.

Support from the Expert Advisory Network will take different forms depending on the nature of the project, including one-off advice, ongoing project coaching, direct project delivery, peer review, and financial and commercial advisory services. 

This will enable EAN teams working on short-term projects to share their knowledge and allow agencies to build their own institutional capacity.

As more specialist teams join the network, it will allow the government to deliver more projects internally with fewer external resources.

Under the previous Liberal-National Government, the Auditor-General identified that more than $1 billion was spent on external consultants without adequate procurement and management policies in place. Further analysis found that more than 15% of contracts were for ‘generalist work’ on policy design, program evaluation and report writing.

In 2023-24, the Minns Labor Government delivered $450 million in savings on consultant and contingent labour spend.

The Expert Advisory Network will continue that work by allowing agencies to identify existing expertise inside government rather than sending taxpayer funds to external consultants.

A 2024 report undertaken by The Cabinet Office found that utilising existing expertise within the public service could save as much as 52% on each contract.

The Minns Labor Government has implemented strict controls on consultant and external labour spend and issued clear instructions to agencies around the use of consultants. 

These measures deliver on Labor’s plans to reduce spend on consultants, bolster the public service and improve essential services for families and households across NSW.

For more information on the Expert Advisory Network, visit nsw.gov.au/expert-advisory-network.

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos: 

“Establishing this network is a step forward as we undertake reforms on how the government spends money on goods and services. This is a common-sense reform and makes sure we work smarter within the public service and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. 

“We need to deliver value-for-money for taxpayers by spending more money on essential services and less money on unnecessary consultants.

“Consultants should be offering specific, expert advice to government, not replicating work that can be done with existing resources inside government agencies.

“With the Expert Advisory Network, we will save the public money and boost capacity in the public service, allowing us to deliver on the essential services that families and households rely on.”

Women experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms now have improved access to additional support following the establishment of Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s (NBMLHD) new menopause referral service.

NBMLHD’s new Specialised Menopause Referral Service aims to provide assistance and support for women whose symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or those women who face additional complications from other medical conditions.

The new service has been established as part of NSW Health’s menopause network, which has four hubs and multiple referral sites across the state and is networked with the South-Western Sydney LHD hub.

Care Coordinators will assist with triage and navigate care locally, supporting the medically-led, multi-disciplinary hub team of nursing and allied health professionals to provide holistic support.

The NBMLHD Specialised Menopause Referral Service will deliver care using a hybrid approach, with a largely virtual service coupled with face-to-face consultations when they are required.

General practitioners, specialists, and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women for advanced care, and are welcome to contact the service directly by emailing nbmlhd-menopause@health.nsw.gov.au.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“This Specialised Menopause Referral Service will promote flexibility and choice in the way women in the Nepean Blue Mountains region access support to manage severe menopause symptoms.

“By continuing to break down barriers like geographic isolation through effective use of virtual care technology, this service will help us continue to improve health outcomes in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison:

“Women’s health and wellbeing is a key priority for the NSW Government.

“Menopause management can be complex. The opening of this new menopause referral service, as part of a wider network that includes four Menopause Hubs, ensures support is available for women experiencing severe menopause symptoms.

“It is one way the NSW Government is making sure women get the important holistic healthcare they need.”

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle:

“Every woman’s experience of menopause is different, and this service will ensure women get the help they need to manage severe or complex symptoms.

“Up to one in four women endure severe and debilitating menopause symptoms, which is why services like this one are so important.”

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown:

“Severe menopause symptoms don’t discriminate and we’re pleased women in the Nepean Blue Mountains region will have access to potentially life changing care.

“The service is a significant step forward in ensuring women with complex needs receive the specialised care they deserve.”

NBMLHD Menopause Service Coordinator Holly Miller:

“Our ability to escalate to multidisciplinary virtual care through the networked Specialist Menopause Service ensures access to a wider range of specialists.

“Through the service, we’re building a supportive community where women feel comfortable discussing their experiences and accessing the care they need.”

The NSW Government’s 12-month trial of body worn cameras continues to be rolled out in selected hospitals in NSW.

Liverpool and Bankstown-Lidcombe hospitals have now joined the trial, with the aim of improving safety for staff, patients and visitors.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said a total of five hospitals across northern Sydney, south western Sydney and the Illawarra are now participating in the trial, which commenced at Royal North Shore Hospital in December 2024.

Security staff in participating hospitals are equipped with body worn cameras and can activate these cameras in response to incidents involving aggression and violence in the hospital, where there is risk of harm to staff, patients or others.

The trial will determine how effective the presence of the cameras are at deterring and de-escalating violent incidents and will be independently evaluated once completed.

Body worn cameras are one strategy intended to keep everyone safe in NSW public hospitals. NSW Health facilities also have a number of other key strategies in place to ensure the safest possible environment for staff, patients and visitors. These include:

• Ongoing risk assessments to identify and manage emerging security risks.
• Safety huddles to share information on patient related safety risk with incoming workers.
• Patient management plans that set out specific arrangements to keep both the patient and healthcare workers safe when providing care.
• Multi-disciplinary Code Black (duress) response teams. This includes the use of NSW Health security staff/Health and Security Assistants to assist clinical staff with the management of incidents.
• Workplaces designed to enhance line of sight for staff and reduce entrapment, including dual egress at staff stations and in treatments rooms.
• Lockdown arrangements including secure entry points between public and clinical areas and secure perimeters for facilities, particularly after hours.
• Personal mobile and fixed duress alarms for staff to ensure they can summon assistance when necessary.
• Closed circuit television (CCTV) and effective lighting to ensure visibility.
• Procedures to enhance car park security, including regular security patrols.

This trial is part of the ongoing implementation of recommendations from the Anderson Review of Hospital Security and follows implementation of other recommendations by the NSW Government to improve hospital security.

These include the establishment of the Safety and Security Improvement Unit within the Ministry of Health, the standardising of code black procedures, and enhanced support for patient experience officers.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The safety of our staff and patients is my top priority as the Minister for Health.

“Any instances of aggression towards staff will not be tolerated, and appropriate action will always be taken against individuals who behave in such a manner.

“I look forward to the results of this trial which will provide insight into how we can reduce instances of violence and aggression in our public hospitals.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:

“The trialling of body-worn cameras is a key step in our goal to give staff, patients, and visitors every assurance that they are safe and secure at our hospitals.

“Liverpool is one of the largest hospitals in our state. I am very pleased that it is one of the first to implement this key safety measure.

“The Government has been clear: aggression toward healthcare staff cannot be tolerated. I look forward to the results of this trial, which will inform how we can reduce violent incidents in our public hospitals.”

Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson:

“The NSW Government’s body-worn camera trial at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital and Liverpool Hospital is a crucial step in ensuring our hospitals are safe places for all.

“We are committed to protecting our nurses, doctors, healthcare workers and patients, and this technology offers a vital layer of security.

“By rigorously evaluating this trial, we’re taking action to build a safer hospital environment for everyone.”

Member for Auburn Lynda Voltz:

“The body-worn cameras trial at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital is an important step in safeguarding both our healthcare workers and patients.

“This initiative will help create a safer environment as well as support the hard-working staff who are committed to providing care in challenging circumstances.”