Category: NSW News

The Minns Labor government will commit $200 million to ensure thousands of vulnerable kids are kept safe.

The state’s out-of-home care (OOHC) system supports approximately 15,000 vulnerable children who are unable to live safely at home, through foster care, kinship care, and residential care arrangements.

Following the election, the Minns Labor government discovered a significant budget shortfall within the OOHC system – part of the former government’s $7 billion in unfunded programs.

The Liberals and Nationals left behind an out-of-home-care budget due to run out next April– more than 2 months before the end of the 2023–2024 financial year, which would leave the NSW Government failing to meet its statutory obligations to vulnerable children.

The NSW Labor Government’s budget will deliver a $200 million rescue package to sustain out-of-home care throughout 2023–2024.

The NSW Government is also committing to fixing the broken child protection system in NSW.

Despite the number of children in the OOHC system remaining relatively stable, a series of policy failures by the former government created a spiralling OOHC budget crisis combined with worsening outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

A recent review into the child protection system found vulnerable children were holed up in motel rooms without enough food or clothing, despite non-government providers being paid more than a million dollars for their care.

Over the 3 years from 30 June 2020 to 30 June 2023 there has been a tripling in the number of children in expensive emergency arrangements, including hotels and motels, and an increase in the average length of stay for all placement types.

The Minns Labor Government is setting out long-term plans to reform the child protection system and repair the budget, as part of its plan to rebuild essential services we all rely on – and looking after vulnerable kids is an essential service.

And it will be done without privatising essential public assets or imposing an unfair cap on the wages of our essential service workers.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“The Minns Labor government inherited a broken child protection system and a massive black hole in the out-of-home care budget.

“It’s shocking that the former government managed to make a mess of the child protection system so badly for young vulnerable children, and for taxpayers too.

“This $200 million rescue package means the state’s most vulnerable kids will be kept safe through foster care, kinship care, and residential care arrangements.

“We are committed to repairing the budget and reforming the child protection system to give children and young people the best chance of a brighter future.”

The NSW Government is returning democracy and fairness to the City of Sydney by removing rules that favour the votes of businesses over residents in local government elections.

The City of Sydney Amendment Bill 2023 introduced by the Government seeks to reinstate the voting rules for non-residential electors that apply in all other LGAs across NSW.

In 2014, the City of Sydney Act 1988 was amended to give eligible businesses two votes in council elections, compared to one each for residents.

As a result, businesses that own, lease, or occupy rateable land in the City of Sydney can currently nominate two people to vote on their behalf in council elections.

The Government’s new bill will remove this unfair weighting and bring balance back to the system.

The changes will also remove the automatic enrolment of non-residential electors, which does not exist anywhere else in the state, and currently applies regardless of whether these electors wish to vote in City of Sydney elections or not.

Eligible people will still be able to apply to become non-residential electors, however, only one person will be entitled to be enrolled on behalf of corporations or multiple owners, lessees or occupiers.

The 2014 amendment being reversed by this bill cost City of Sydney ratepayers $9.7 million to establish and approximately $1 million per year to maintain.

It also resulted in an increase in the number of fines issued by the NSW Electoral Commission.

Following the 2021 council elections, 18,501 failure to vote notices and fines were issued by the Electoral Commission to non-residential electors. This equates to 39 per cent of all non-residential electors for the area.

If passed, this bill will:

• ensure the same rules that govern voting by non-residential electors in all other LGAs in NSW will apply to the City of Sydney
• make the preparation of non-residential elector rolls much less onerous and costly and relieve the City of Sydney of a significant administrative burden
• deliver cost savings for the City of Sydney that can be redirected towards services and infrastructure for the local community

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig:

“The current City of Sydney Act gives businesses two votes in local government elections in a deliberate decision orchestrated by the former government to suit its political agenda.

“The amendments were made by the Liberals in a brazen attempt to oust Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore from office and give the party an electoral advantage in controlling the Sydney Town Hall.

“As expected, the amendments have clearly missed their target with thousands of non-resident ratepayers being slugged with fines for not voting instead.

“For nearly a decade, City of Sydney ratepayers have also been forced to foot an annual bill of approximately $1 million to maintain the non-residential electoral roll.

“Nowhere else in this state do we see one group of voters favoured in this way. It erodes the democratic process and undermines the vital importance of giving residents and ratepayers a balanced voice in local council elections.

“The Labor Government is proud to return the balance to the City of Sydney democratic process, and plan to have the new laws passed and implemented for the September 2024 council elections.”

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to support essential health workers and their patients by saving the jobs of 1112 nurses and midwives in NSW hospitals.

The government is investing an additional $572 million in the 2023–24 NSW Budget to make the 1112 nurses and midwives permanent.

The $572 million will be spent over 3 financial years from 2024–25.

The Labor Government’s decision delivers certainty to nurses, midwives and their families, along with local hospitals and patients.

The commitment will also ensure the continued delivery of healthcare services and support health outcomes for patients.

These hardworking nurses and midwives are already embedded in the public health system, working in metro and regional hospitals across NSW.

More than 750,000 patients presented to emergency departments across NSW in the second quarter of 2023, with a record number (117,949) of life-threatening triage category 2 cases.

But data from the Bureau of Health Information reveals just over half (54%) of those triage category 2 patients started their treatment on time.

The nurses and midwives work across 15 local health districts (LHDs) along with the Children’s Hospital Network.

This massive funding black hole included no funding allocated for:

• 138.2 nurses in the Hunter New England LHD
• 119.2 nurses in South Western Sydney LHD
• 109.1 nurses in Western Sydney LHD
• 104.4 nurses in South Eastern Sydney LHD
• 99.4 nurses in Sydney LHD
• 82 nurses in Northern Sydney LHD
• 61.4 nurses in Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
• 57.1 nurses in Central Coast LHD
• 56.1 nurses in Western NSW LHD
• 51 nurses in Northern NSW LHD
• 50 nurses in Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
• 43.3 nurses in Mid North Coast LHD
• 41.6 nurses in Murrumbidgee LHD
• 41 nurses in Children’s Hospital Network
• 26.6 nurses in Southern NSW LHD
• 6.5 nurses in Far West LHD.

Permanently funding these positions will help the Minns Labor Government implement its commitment to Safe Staffing Levels in NSW hospitals, starting with emergency departments.

Safe Staffing Levels are designed to improve health outcomes, reduce waiting times, take pressure off NSW hospitals and help retain experienced nurses and midwives in our health workforce.

The Minns Labor Government has also committed to hiring an additional 1200 nurses and midwives during its first term, beyond today’s announcement, to implement this important reform in our hospitals.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“We are doing what the previous state government failed to do – making these nurses and midwives permanent.

“The NSW health system is under immense pressure. We can’t afford to lose hardworking nurses and midwives.

“Today, we are making good on our commitment to support our essential frontline health workers so they can continue to deliver the health services our communities need and deserve.”

Health and Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“I am as committed to investing in our frontline healthcare workers as I am about bricks and mortar infrastructure.

“The Minns Labor Government made a commitment to support our frontline nurses and midwives and recognise their enormous contribution to our health system by building the workforce and improving their pay and conditions.

“The implementation of Safe Staffing Levels will mean more nurses and midwives working in our hospitals and is a significant step forward in delivering on the Government’s commitment to help rebuild essential services.”

The Labor Government together with the Greens have voted down an opportunity to improve a recent regulation which provides the Independent Commission Against Corruption with overly broad powers to use illegally made recordings.
 
The Opposition had attempted to reach out across the political divide to improve the Labor Government’s rushed regulation, whilst still enabling the ICAC to conduct its current investigation without any limitations.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the powers granted under the Labor regulation, rather than legislation, have enormous scope beyond any one investigation.
 
“Our proposed regulation provided everything that ICAC needed for the conduct of Operation Rosny. However, Labor and Greens have teamed up to block the disallowance motion that would have allowed for the amended regulation to be put forward,” said Mr Speakman. “Instead ICAC can now use or publish any existing or even new surveillance recordings made by private citizens without a warrant on any matter for years.”
 
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said that while the Liberal Party supports a strong ICAC the current regulation gives it free rein to completely ignore the Surveillance Devices Act and encourage future illegal conduct in the nature of “digital vigilante-ism” even if it doesn’t relate to the investigation that it is conducting.
 
“It should alarm law abiding citizens that the Government has allowed powers broader than was necessary for the investigation without any judicial oversight.”
 
“For more than two years ICAC will be able to obtain any illegal surveillance recording and use it in any investigation, because the Minns Government refused to limit the regulation to only apply to the operation that ICAC had asked it for,” Mr Henskens concluded.

The Minns Labor government will bolster the recruitment and retention of health workers by committing more than $120 million towards health worker study subsidies in the budget.

The NSW Government will support 12,000 healthcare students with study subsidies over 5 years, fulfilling a key election health pledge.

New students will receive scholarships of $4000 per year. Existing students will receive one-off payments of $8000. 

Students can begin applying for this support from 1 January 2024 and must be willing to make a 5-year commitment to the NSW public health system.

The Minns government is investing $121.9 million over 5 years in the program, as it moves to further rebuild essential services as part of its upcoming budget.

Attracting skilled healthcare workers to work in the NSW health system is a challenge, made all the harder after 12 years of underfunding and neglect by the former Liberal National government.

This has been further exacerbated by competitive remuneration and employment conditions in other states and other sectors, presenting challenges to recruitment and retention.

That’s why the Minns government abolished the damaging wages cap for NSW Government healthcare workers and delivered the largest pay increase for the workforce in more than a decade.

Improving incentives for students to enter the health workforce, by reducing financial barriers to study, will improve recruitment and retention and lift health outcomes for patients.

The scholarship program will be open to all healthcare degrees.

Each year, up to 850 student nurses, 400 medical students and 150 people studying midwifery will enter the scholarship program, along with students in other areas including paramedicine, Aboriginal health, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Those already engaged in study will be eligible to apply for an $8000 one-off payment upon graduation as a transitional arrangement, ensuring people who have already started studying are also recognised in this policy.

The rollout of health worker subsidies is the latest in a comprehensive suite of measures the NSW Government is undertaking to rebuild the health system, including:

• Building an engaged, capable and supported workforce, beginning with implementing safe staffing levels, with a memorandum of understanding signed with nurses just last month;
• Improving health workforce conditions, including abolishing the wages cap and rolling out study subsidies.
• Enhancing the accessibility and delivery of healthcare across rural and regional NSW, including with a boost to regional paramedics; doubling rural health incentives and expanding the single employer model.
• Safely delivering the essential health services our community deserves, including through a special commission of inquiry into health funding.
• Reducing surgery wait times with the establishment of a surgical care taskforce.
• Providing the health infrastructure and technology for communities across NSW, including by embracing urgent care and virtual care, relieving pressure on our hospitals.

The Minns Labor government remains committed to improving the essential health services our community deserve and building an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

At the same time, NSW is confronted with deteriorating fiscal conditions, left by the Liberals and Nationals.

In addition to record debt, the Liberals made more than $7 billion worth of promises they could not pay for, including not permanently funding 1112 nurses and midwives working in NSW hospitals.

The Minns Labor government is now making the careful and necessary decisions to address the holes left in the budget by the Liberals to ensure we can fund quality healthcare that people rely on.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We know that not only do we need to recruit more health workers, we need to retain them, and today’s announcement bolsters that effort.

“This is just one of the suite of measures we are undertaking in building a supported workforce.

“By boosting and supporting our health workforce, we will improve patient outcomes.”

The NSW Government, in partnership with Cessnock City Council and Singleton Council, will hold a public memorial service next month to honour the memory of the lives lost in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy. 

The service will be an opportunity to acknowledge and bring together those who have been affected by the accident, including family and friends of loved ones whose lives were lost, those who survived, and the first responders, including emergency services personnel.  
 
The bus crash, which tragically claimed the lives of 10 individuals on June 11 and injured many more, has touched the lives of countless Australians.  
 
The memorial will be held at the Singleton Showground on Saturday 21 October, commencing at 11am.  
 
Members of the community are encouraged to attend the public memorial service to show their support and gather in solidarity on this difficult journey. 

A ticket is not required to attend and the event will be live streamed on the NSW Government website.  
 
Following the service, a free communal barbecue in partnership with local charitable organisations will be hosted at the showground, as an opportunity to continue providing comfort and support for all. 
 
The Hunter Valley Bus Tragedy Fund, administered by Rotary, closed yesterday and has received overwhelming support from generous donors raising close to $1.5 million. The NSW Government donated $100,000, with the funds raised playing an important role in assisting those affected. 
 
For the most up-to-date information on the memorial, visit the webpage. 
 
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
 
“This memorial service will allow us to come together to grieve, support one another and pay tribute to those affected by this unimaginable tragedy. 
 
“It also provides an opportunity to recognise the courage and resilience of the frontline emergency service workers who attended the scene and treated patients in our hospitals.” 
 
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said: 
 
“The support that continues to be provided to our community since this tragedy has been overwhelming. Many people’s lives have been affected and it’s important that we stay strong. 
 
“The memorial will be a chance for our tight-knit community to rally together and remember all those lost in the accident and support each other.” 
 
Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal said: 
 
“So many people from our communities have been affected by this tragedy. The support shown for the families and victims of this tragedy, not just from locals but all around the nation, has been greatly appreciated. 
 
“A memorial will be an important step in the long healing process, and reminds our residents that they’ll never walk alone, as our community looks after one another.” 
 

The NSW Government is boosting funding for the state’s 20 women’s health centres in its first budget, delivering on its election commitment to improve access to healthcare for women.

The Minister for Health Ryan Park and the Minister for Women Jodie Harrison today announced the 2023–2024 NSW Budget will allocate an additional $34.3 million for the Women’s Health Centre Program over the next 4 years.

The state’s 20 women’s health centres provide tailored healthcare, supporting vulnerable women with their physical and mental health, sexual and reproductive health, as well as preventative classes, events and support groups.

The Women’s Health Centre Program provides face-to-face support to more than 50,000 women across NSW each year – predominantly vulnerable and at-risk women.

These centres are vital in providing a safe place for women who might otherwise fall through the cracks and are critical in removing barriers to health care by providing women the care they need in their own communities.

The new investment will mean centres are able to:

• increase staff numbers
• put downward pressure on waitlists for counselling appointments
• offer healthcare and counselling services to more women
• adapt services to emerging demographic trends and population growth
• adapt services to address the complexity of presenting health issues.

Locations with centres that will benefit include Hunter, Bankstown, Blacktown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Liverpool and Penrith, as well as the Central Coast, Illawarra, Lismore, Shoalhaven and South Coast.

The Minns Labor government is committed to rebuilding the essential health services our communities deserve and rebuilding an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

The Minns Labor government is making careful and responsible decisions to address the holes left in the budget by the former government so we can fund the healthcare services women rely on.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“As Minister for Health it is one of my priorities to improve access and remove barriers women face in accessing healthcare services.

“We’re providing a safe space for women to access female healthcare workers who can provide inclusive and culturally appropriate care.

“Women’s Health Centres offer a number of different services, which we know have a really positive impact on health outcomes for women.

“This investment will ensure more women have access to these key health services across NSW.”

Minister for Women, Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The Women’s Health Centres are crucial to women’s health care, providing vital support to those escaping domestic and family violence, from lower socio-economic backgrounds and in regional and remote locations.

“They provide a welcoming environment which empower women by promoting their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering on our election commitment to the greater community, by supporting women’s health.”

Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen said:

“This is an important commitment from the Minns Labor government that will see a welcome boost to women’s healthcare in the Inner West and across NSW.

“These centres are a crucial source of support and healthcare for so many women and I’m so pleased to be part of a government that cares and is ready to make worthy investments like this one.”

There will be a new way to get around Wollongong from the end of this month, with locals able to jump on a shared Neuron e-scooter, as part of a trial which is expected to run for 12 months.

The trial will begin on Friday 29 September and will allow riders 16 years and older to hop on an e-scooter on eligible roads and shared paths around the city.

The scooters are limited to a maximum of 20km/h on bicycle paths, or roads with a speed limit up to 50 km/h. For any shared paths that accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, prams and dog-walkers, a speed limit of 10km/h is in place. E-scooters are not permitted for use on footpaths.

Geofencing technology will also control where e-scooters are ridden and parked, and how fast they can travel in certain areas.

Currently, only e-scooters provided through a shared scheme are permitted for use in approved trial areas, privately owned e-scooters cannot be used in public areas. 

Riders will be able to unlock and use e-scooters by downloading Neuron’s app.

Find out more about the trial in Wollongonglaunch.

The e-scooter trial in Armidale also kicked off this week on Thursday the 7th of September.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said: 

“E-scooters will offer an exciting new and sustainable way to get out and explore Wollongong and I look forward to finally kicking off a trial in the middle of one of our state’s major city centres.

“Transport for NSW and Wollongong Council have worked closely to ensure this trial will be safe, a useful new form of transport and importantly, will be a lot of fun!

“To stay safe while taking part in this trial, wear a helmet, follow the speed limits and don’t drink and ride – and we’ll have technology in place to make sure you follow those rules.”

Illawarra and South Coast Minister Ryan Park said: 

“Wollongong boasts an amazing array of shared paths around the CBD and along the coast. It is already a great place to get out and walk or bike ride and adding an extra option that is easy and sustainable will be a great addition for locals and tourists to explore our city.

“With this new mode of transport hitting pavements, we want to remind everyone to keep an extra eye out for e-scooters, check your blind spot regularly and leave a minimum distance of 1 metre when passing someone riding an e-scooter.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said: 

“Wollongong is the best city in the world to ride a bike, so it’s the perfect place to trial e-scooters.

“Until now, e-scooters have only been trialled in parks and regional towns, Wollongong will be the first city in NSW to trial them as part of a real micro-mobility transport solution. You’ll be able to take one to work, to the beach or anywhere else within the trial zone.

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery AM said:

“Wollongong City Council is proud of the significant investment it has made in facilitating access right across the city to alternative transport options to cars.

“The introduction of E-scooters to the mix will provide people with another choice when it comes to leaving the car at home, and getting from A to B, and also a way for people to explore the city whether they’re tourists, or just enjoying their local area on an E-scooter.

“What is particularly exciting about this trial is that it isn’t just CBD focussed so you’ll be able to hire an E-scooter in Fairy Meadow and ride to Sandon Point and on the return trip wrap up in the CBD.

“It is a trial and community feedback will be key as the rollout progresses. We appreciate the introduction of E-scooters will be an adjustment to our transport network and we will be working closely with Transport for NSW and Neuron to ensure information about how and where to ride safely is made available to everyone.’’

Neuron Mobility, General Manager Jayden Bryant said: 

“We are delighted to have been chosen by Wollongong City Council to provide our e-scooters as part of the trial and thank them for their trust and support. E-scooters are really well suited to Wollongong and they will be a great way for locals as well as tourists to travel in a safe, convenient and environmentally-friendly way.

“Elsewhere in Australia, e-scooters are significantly reducing congestion and emissions while also helping to boost the local economy. Safety is our top priority, it dictates our e-scooter design and also the way we operate them. Our e-scooters are packed with a range of cutting-edge safety features and we know from experience in other cities that riders really appreciate this.”

The NSW Government is asking the community to consider fostering a child and help care for the state’s most vulnerable children.

During Foster and Kinship Care Week, the Government is highlighting the 15,000 children and young people in NSW in the child protection system, and the dire need for community action.

Without additional community support, more vulnerable children will end up in hotels and motels.

Foster care numbers plummeted under the former government, putting more pressure on a system that is already breaking at the seams; including a $280 million budget shortfall left by the former government, which risks vulnerable children being returned to unsafe situations.

Each year, 600 new foster carers are needed in NSW to take care of children who can’t live safely at home. Carers can be family members or foster carers, and come from a diverse range of backgrounds and all walks of life.

All carers receive training, support and an allowance to help them throughout their care journey.

Foster and Kinship Care Week provides an opportunity to thank the thousands of current foster and kinship carers across NSW who provide nurturing and stable homes for children and young people.

Dedicated carers:

• provide a safe, nurturing and secure home
• assist with children’s education, health, wellbeing and connection to culture
• create a homely environment, with birthday celebrations, sport and school drop offs.

To learn more about becoming a foster carer visit myforeverfamily.org.aulaunch.

Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington, said:

“There are amazing foster and kinship carers right across NSW, but we desperately need more.”

“Right now, there are vulnerable children who don’t have a safe place to call home.”

“This week is the perfect time to think about changing a child’s life by becoming an emergency, respite or longer term foster carer.”

CEO of Adopt Change operating My Forever Family NSW, Renée Carter said:

“We are honoured to be celebrating the incredible carer families in NSW who step up and provide safe, nurturing homes for children. Carers play a crucial role in providing security and warmth to a child when they are at their most vulnerable.”

“During Foster and Kinship Care Week celebrations, we’d love to see more community members who are considering becoming a carer to reach out and take the next steps. There are different types of foster care to suit your availability. You could be the special carer to make a difference in a child’s life through providing the stability that comes from having a safe place to sleep, space to play and support to learn.”

The NSW Government is investing a landmark $3 billion in the NSW Budget for new and upgraded hospitals across greater Western Sydney, one of the largest investments in Western Sydney health infrastructure in recent memory.

The 2023-24 NSW Budget includes an additional $400 million to build the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital – the first brand new adult public hospital to be built in Western Sydney in more than 40 years.

The new Rouse Hill Hospital will include an emergency department, maternity services, ambulatory and outpatient care and medical imaging services.

The NSW Government has an ambitious agenda to rebuild essential services, including healthcare, that communities across greater Western Sydney rely on. 

That’s why the Budget also includes:

• $550 million for Fairfield Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since it opened in 1989.
• $350 million for Canterbury Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since 1998.
• $1.3 billion to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new site, the first major investment since the two hospitals merged in 1997.
• $120 million for additional beds at Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals.

Together, these landmark investments will deliver on the NSW Government’s pledge for 600 new hospital beds across greater Western Sydney. 

Hospitals across greater Western Sydney have been left overwhelmed and underfunded after 12 years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals, including not permanently funding 1,112 nurses and midwives currently working in NSW hospitals.

Data from the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) shows almost 53,000 patients presented to emergency departments across the Western Sydney Local Health District in the April to June quarter, 2023.

The data also reveals these patients are facing long wait times in emergency departments, with just 42 percent of patients starting their treatment on time.

Addressing these challenges has been made more difficult by the state of the budget we inherited, with record debt, $90 billion worth of privatised assets and $7 billion in unfunded promises.

We can’t undo 12 years of Liberal and National neglect of our health system overnight – it will take time.

But we are undertaking a comprehensive suite of reforms to rebuild our health system.

These historic investments in new and upgraded hospitals in greater Western Sydney are possible because the NSW Government is making responsible decisions to repair the budget and reprioritise spending on essential services.

The NSW Government is setting out a long-term plan to repair the budget so we can deliver essential healthcare services for families across greater Western Sydney, reduce waiting times and improving access to timely, high-quality healthcare.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“We were elected with a clear mandate to rebuild essential services and invest in our frontline workers.

“Our healthcare system has been under incredible pressure in recent years. Chronic underinvestment by the former Government didn’t help.

“The thousands of people moving into these growth areas every year deserve world class healthcare – which my government will deliver.

Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said: 

“Western Sydney is the engine room for the state’s growth so it deserves a proportionate rate of investment in services. 

“After many years of false promises, this historic level of investment by the Minns Labor Government delivers what the community has been crying out for. 

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is delivering on such a scale for the region.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“Families living across greater Western Sydney have a right to timely, equitable healthcare and they should have confidence in their local hospitals.”

“That’s why we’re committed to delivering the essential services our community deserves and expects all while building the healthcare infrastructure to meet the need of these growing communities into the future.

“This is all part of our ambitious and comprehensive plan to invest in the state’s healthcare system and support and increase our frontline healthcare workforce.”