Official Opening of the Sub-Acute Wing …

BHAG was invited to the official opening of the new Sub-acute wing on the 18^th of December 2014.  The $5.3million, 14 bed Rehabilitation & Palliative Care wards have been occupied for some months however the wing was now to be officially opened.

Melinda Pavey (State National Party Candidate) & Warren Grimshaw (Chairman of the MNCLHD Board)

In 2009/10 the staff & Doctors at Bellingen Hospital had successfully applied for funding to construct a Sub-Acute facility. Under the Prime Ministership of Kevin Rudd the then Federal Labour Government $3million was awarded.  Further funds in excess of $2million were sought from the NSW State Coalition Government to enable the preferred design concept & services to be completed providing our hospital with a ‘State of the Art’ facility that the local Network of hospitals (Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo, Macksville & Bellingen) uses to Rehabilitate sub-acute patients after they have recovered from their acute health state ready for discharge to either their home or a care facility.  Palliative patients are also treated in this new wing.

When Bellingen Hospital was built in 1903 it opened with 6 beds.  In 1927 this increased to 20 beds & in 1936 additional wards’ were built & by 1941 there were 44 beds & 22 staff.  By 1943/44 the bed numbers were reported to be between 44-46 plus 4 bassinettes & 32 staff. In 1945 it was reported that there were 50 patients however it is unclear where they were located though it is known that patients were located on the verandas.

At some stage the bed numbers reduced to 43 & then early in 1994 they were reduced to 41 & by 1999 there were only 33 beds.

Bellingen Hospital now has 47 beds however one (bed 18 in Hartley House) is currently used as a store room.  It was a purpose built paediatric ward however when paediatric services were removed from the hospital many years ago it was no longer utilised.  Some years ago BHAG wrote to the Chief Executive regarding re-instating it as a bed due to its location adjacent to the Nurses Station however we have had no response.

During the ceremony Alex Floyd was invited to unveil the Wollemi Pine memorial tree that will be planted in memory of Dr George Hewitt.  Alex worked with Dr Hewitt during the planting of the Arboretum & it was Alex who documented the comprehensive lists & plans of every tree in the Arboretum.

Melinda Pavey & Alex Floyd unveiling the Wollemi Pine

There were of course the expected speeches from Mayor Mark Troy, Melinda Pavey MLC (standing in for Luke Hartsuyker local Federal MP), Warren Grimshaw (Chairman of the Board) & Stewart Dowrick (CE for the MNCLHD).

There were many Community Organisation such as the Bellingen Lions & the Hospital Auxiliary/Pink Ladies present & Pauline Murphy & I attended on behalf of BHAG.  We were rather ‘chuffed’ to listen to the words of Warren Grimshaw & Stewart Dowrick when they both acknowledged the extraordinary work our Bellingen Community does for the hospital & in particular how BHAG maintains a state of ‘constructive criticism’.

The Board & CE are regularly praising the work of our passionate community & stating that Bellingen Hospital is now a State of the Art facility with a solid future.  This is a major turn-a-round from where it stood in late 2009/early 2010.

The completed Sub-Acute Wing

When the application for funding was submitted BHAG was proactive & embarrassing many in high places.  We were advised by certain parties that Bellingen Hospital received the grant to calm us (the community) down. Therefore BHAG cannot take the praise for the new wing however if we had not been the ‘squeaky wheel’ at the time who knows what our future would have been.

Barb Moore (President BHAG)

Bellingen Sub-Acute article 31st December 2014

Bellingen Sub-Acute opens

Advertisement

Submission to Bellingen Shire Council

DA No. 2011/DA-202 – Activity File No. 2011AF-271

General Manager Bellingen Shire Council
33-39 Hyde Street
PO Box 117
Bellingen NSW 2454
Email: council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

Dear Madam, I have no objection to Development Application No.
2011/DA-202 – Activity File No. 2011AF-271 ‘Integrated Development
proposal’ by the Health Administration Corporation for ‘Alterations &
additions to existing hospital for sub-acute ward with associated parking and
tree removal’ and I wish to register my support for this application.

Yours sincerely, 

Signed____________________________________________________________________________

Name_____________________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________________

Date_______________________________

BHAG newsletter 10/12/2011

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 22^nd DECEMBER 2011

There is only one week left for you to lodge a written submission to Bellingen Council SUPPORTING the Development Application No. 2011/DA-202 for the expansion of Bellingen Hospital (submission’s  close at 4pm on Thursday 22^nd December 2011).  We want Council’s office to be flooded with your submissions.

 

PUBLIC MEETING’S IN URUNGA & BELLINGEN

A CELEBRATION & INFORMATION EVENING

The Bellinger Health Action Group (BHAG) has organised two (2) PUBLIC MEETINGS to celebrate our wonderful news & provide an opportunity for you to ask questions about the project, view the current plans & how to lodge a submission.

URUNGA – OCEAN VIEW HOTEL Wednesday 14^th DECEMBER 2011 at 6.45pm-7.30pm.

BELLINGEN – UNITING CHURCH HALL Monday 19^th DECEMBER 2011 at 6.30pm-8.30pm.

BHAG invites ALL OF YOU to celebrate our recent wonderful news of the upgrade to our hospital & the announced funding of $5 million AND find out the answers to some questions (but not exclusive to this list) you may have regarding the expansion such as.

Where will the building works be located?

When will the works commence & how long will they take?

What does ‘Sub-acute’ Rehabilitation & Palliative Care patient mean?

Will I still be able to be treated at Bellingen Hospital?

Will I still be able to have Allied Health services (e.g. Community Nurses, Mental Health clinic, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Podiatry)?

How do I lodge a submission to Council regarding the DA?

How can I help with the relocation of the demountable’s to the High School?

How can I help with some outdoor structures?

How can I help with the landscaping?

What about the existing hospital buildings – will there be any work done to them- how can I help?

What is happening with the installation of Solar Hot Water systems?

We will be taking questions from the floor.  It is early days & not all the details have been finalised but we have various speakers who will speak on what we know at this point in time.

This will also be an opportunity for you to contribute & express your thoughts, ideas & concerns.

The Mayor, Doctor’s & Staff from Bellingen Hospital, Community representatives and your BHAG committee will be in attendance at the Bellingen meeting and due to the short notice for the Urunga meeting, Doctors and representatives from your BHAG committee will be in attendance.

We will have a display of the proposed new building for you to view.

We know this is a busy time for all however we look forward to seeing you either at Urunga or Bellingen.

I have a correction to make on my letter in last week’s publication (Courier Sun Dec 7).  The total amount raised by the jewellery raffle & fundraiser event at Urunga was $6,797 not $4,100 as reported.  My apologies to all involved.

Best wishes,

Barbara Moore (Vice Chair BHAG)

Bellingen Hospital Expansion fully funded

The publication of a Development Application for the construction of a 14 sub-acute facility & the announcement of $5million last week for our local Bellinger River District Hospital has lifted the spirits of our community.  We understand there is also additional on-going funding to maintain the service for the next 5 years.

The Mid North Coast Local Health District, Medical Staff Council, Nursing & Allied Health staff have worked tirelessly for many months towards this successful outcome.  They are to be commended.

We are indebted to those Doctors & hospital staff who had the vision and submitted a successful application to the Council of Australian Government’s National Health and Hospital Reform Funding under the Sub-Acute program.

The hospital will have 48 beds in total, the highest number since the foundation stone was laid on the 24^th September 1902 & an additional 34.24 full time equivalent staff bringing the total number of full time equivalent staff to 57.54.

The Bellinger Health Action Group (BHAG) committee are very excited with the news.  We have been working in background towards this for months.  We can now proceed openly.  The Volunteer Gardening Group have indicated their willingness to assist with the landscaping & the BHAG committee will work closely with Bellingen High School to assist them with the relocation of the two demountable’s that will become a new Music Department.  We will be calling on the community to assist with this relocation with donations of equipment, materials, skilled & unskilled labour.  We will advise you at a later date what the needs will be.

Did you know that in 2002, the 4 demountable’s that were installed were to be replaced within 3 years?  Well it has taken 10 years to replace 2 of them.  Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 10 years to replace the other 2.

Our community has endured decades of downgrading, neglect, loss of services & plans to cut essential services at the hospital.  Under the new Local Health District & Local Board structure that was introduced by the Federal Government Health & Hospital Reform we are now to experience the changes of that ‘Reform’ in our own back yard.

What a wonderful Christmas present for the Bellingen Shire & a healthier future for our residents.

Bellingen Hospital provides health services within the local health network of hospitals.  These are Coffs Harbour, Macksville, Dorrigo & Bellingen hospitals.  Not only does each hospital service its local community but they have unique services that service the entire network.  The new Palliative Care beds at Bellingen Hospital are a unique service in the network and the Rehabilitation beds will support the congested service available at Coffs Harbour.  We have been advised that some existing services at Bellingen will also be expanded to service the network.

We have come a long way since the 24^th of February 2010 when Andrew Stoner, Bellingen Councillors & BHAG sent a delegation to the then NSW State Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt.

Barbara Moore (Vice Chair BHAG)

BHAG Newsletter – 02/12/2011

EXCITING & FABULOUS NEWS
SUBMISSIONS REQUIRED
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF SERVICES AT BELLINGEN HOSPITAL

Hello members of BHAG & Happy Christmas,

This week has been filled with relief, frustration & then elation – a week that has ended with a huge ‘Whoopee’.  The “secret” knowledge that many of you have known for many months is no longer a “secret”.

For those who do not have access to the Courier Sun, this week’s edition of 30^th Nov 2011 page 6, Bellingen Shire Council publicised a Development Application (DA) to expand the Bellingen Hospital – a new wing housing 14 ‘sub-acute’ beds funded by the Commonwealth Govt.

Also the NSW State Health Minister Jillian Skinner finally released her media announcement (just after 4pm on Friday 2^nd) as a result of the Bellingen Council publication of the DA & intervention at the political level by your BHAG committee.  It took one phone call to Stoner’s office & the Minister’s media release was on its way!   Following is a link to the Advocate front page article in Saturday 4^th Dec edition:

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2011/12/03/new-beds-ease-pressure/

Attached to this email is the Minister’s Media Release. What a fabulous Christmas present for the Bellingen Shire.

The Bellinger Health Action Group (BHAG) have known about this development for some months, but without an ‘official’ announcement by the politicians & bureaucrats we would not tempt fate – there have been too many disappointments in the past.  (In 1995/96 both political parties in NSW leading up to an election promised $2 million for new infrastructure.  However after the election the govt. changed hands & all promises disappeared).  This time we were quietly confident as the funding was coming from the federal government, however we could not take any risks & speak too openly.

Now, the plans are on the table & the funding of $5 million has been announced.

This development at Bellingen Hospital will go ahead but we can contribute to ensure Council approves the DA by writing a submission to support/in favour of the DA. Below is a description of the Council publicised DA.

“INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL. The Development Application No. is 2011/DA-202, & the Activity File No. is 2011/AF-271 & is for Alterations and additions to existing hospital for sub-acute ward with associated parking and tree removal at Lot 267 DP 755557, No. 80 Bowraville Road BELLINGEN 2454.”  Detailed plans of the expansion can be viewed at Council offices or on their website under the link to ‘On Exhibition’.   Submissions are open until 4pm 22nd December 2011.  For further enquiries contact Matthew Hutchings at Council on 66557330.

http://bellingen-new.local-e.nsw.gov.au/index.php?option=com_jentlacontent&view=article&id=47923:integrated-development-proposal-bellingen-hospital&catid=1189:on-exhibition-bellingen&Itemid=1702

You can download the DA but I warn you it is huge (6.8MB).

The Bellinger Health Action Group (BHAG) invites all of you & other interested parties to write a submission SUPPORTING this development.  Submissions close at 4pm on Thursday 22^nd December 2011.

You will all remember that only two years ago the community was in fear that services would be downgraded or lost at our hospital OR worse, that the hospital would close & be converted to a nursing home type facility.

Now we have a major building project to expand the hospital – quite the opposite to what we had feared. This reinforces what we have known all along – that Bellingen Hospital is an important facility providing essential public health services to our shire & surrounding areas. Our Operating Theatre and 24 hour Emergency service have been retained, and now an expansion of 14 additional designated beds (8 sub-acute Rehabilitation & 6 Palliative Care).  Bellingen Hospital will then have 48 beds.  (4 beds will be operational in 2012 & the remaining 10 beds in 2012/13).

Historical information:  In 1994 the bed numbers were reduced from 43 to 41 & then in 1995 they were reduced further to 33 beds (current bed number is 34).  With 14 additional sub-acute beds the number rises to 48 a level higher than in 1994 & in fact higher than 1936 (38 beds) or  1944 (44-46 beds & 4 bassinettes & 32 staff).  In July 1945 there were 50 patients & who knows where they were housed!

This also means more local jobs.  It is envisaged that an additional 34.24 full time staff will be required for this new sub-acute unit a substantial increase from the current level, resulting in a total of 57.54 full time staff.   This provides a substantial boost to the economy of our growing Bellingen Shire.

Two of the current demountable’s are to be removed to make way for the construction.  The plans are for these to go to Bellingen High School as a dedicated Music Department & we have the OK from the appropriate health department for this to occur.   The High School & BHAG will be calling on the community to assist with this relocation with donations of equipment, materials, skilled & unskilled labour.  We will advise the community at a later date what the needs will be.

Historical information:  On the 13^th June 2001 Terry Clout, the then CEO of the MNCAHS announced the demolition of the final remains of the old wooden building (previously the medical ward) due to its high fire risk & white ant infestation & on the 4^th of October 2002, 4 demountable’s were modified & installed.  They were intended to be replaced within 3yrs. Now 10 years later 2 of them are to be replaced!

Historical formation:

Timeline of Events

1904: The oldest part of the Medical Ward still standing as constructed.

1976: Hewitt Block completed with plans to rebuild the old Medical Ward already discussed.

1984: Fire Commissioner Report condemning the Medical Ward as a Fire Hazard.

1993: Regionalisation.  Dr Paul Scown becomes GM of the MNCAHS & the Hospital Boards are “reconstituted” with each hospital sending 2 members to a total of 8.  The local boards become advisory in nature only.

1994 Early: Dr Scown removes 2 beds (43 to 41) on the pretext that 1 bed was too close to the fire exit & the other bed in ward 13, was too small for 3 beds.

1994 August: Dr Scown announces his intention to redevelop the Medical Ward with the following assurances:

That no plan would proceed without consultation & our agreement.

That under no circumstances would we go to less than 38 beds.

That all beds would be multi-purpose (that is to say NOT long-stay or Nursing Home type beds)

1994 Nov: Dr Scown & Dr Ridley advise that due to cost blow-outs we cannot have more than 33 beds in the new development.  There is no provision for a paediatric ward.

1994 Dec: BSC discusses development with Dr Scown.

1995 Jan: Drs present a case to BSC asking for support.

1995 Jan 25^th: Public Meeting in Bello organized by BSC.

1995 Jan 30^th: Public meeting in Urunga organized by Swinging Voters Assoc.  Mr Andrew Fraser announces the provision of a two bed children’s ward to be accommodated within the existing structure of the development.  The meeting adopts a resolution demanding a promise from the Govt. for a further 8 beds to be built + provision for a paediatric ward.  An answer is sought by Feb 27^th.

1995 Feb 9^th: Dr Scown announces at a press conference that he wishes to hold an enquiry to determine service needs for the Bello Shire.

1995/96: Promise of $2million disappears.

1999 Oct: Threat of conversion to an MPS, jobs lost, services downgraded, local doctors demoralized, no consultation with staff or community.

2002 Oct: 4 demountable’s were modified & installed after the demolition of the remaining old wooden building.

2008 Aug 10^th: Public Forum called by concerned citizens re threat of conversion to an MPS.  Area Health allays fears and promises a new Midwifery Model of Care for Maternity.

2009 Oct 21^st: Public Forum called by Area Health presided over by Chris Crawford.  All hell broke loose!

2009 Nov 11th: 1^st Public meeting called by new BHAG group to respond to Chris Crawford.

2009 Dec 14^th: 2^nd Public meeting called by new BHAG group

2010 Feb 24^th: BHAG & Council Delegation to Health Minister.

2010 Mar 17^th: 3^rd Public meeting called by new BHAG group to formalise & vote in a committee.

2010: Accident & Emergency under threat of closure from 11pm to 7am.  The service Remains open 24/7 due to a misrepresentation of the statistics.

2010/2011: Maternity remains under threat of closure

2011 Aug 12^th: Community/Hospital Bus returned to community after ‘stolen’.

2011 Nov 30^th: DA publicised in Courier Sun for expansion to Bellingen Hospital with 2 demountable’s to be replaced.

2011 Dec 2^nd: Health Minister Jillian Skinner forced to ‘prematurely’ table Media Release of $5million to fund hospital expansion.  (We had been advised it was $4.7 million but we will be pleased to take the extra!)

This is a good news story & now is the time to celebrate & guarantee that Bellingen Council approves this development by all of us writing a submission in favour of the application (this will be a first for council as most submissions are objections!).  We want Council’s office to be flooded with your submissions.

BHAG will be organising a public meeting/celebration event shortly so “Watch This Space”.

We need to advise you that the above development does not include any refurbishment work on the existing buildings of Hewitt Block or Hartley House.  The roof’s still leak & Bellingen EYE & BHAG are determined to install solar hot water systems – but not on leaky rusty roofs.

BHAG continues its work to represent your call for a better local public health system.

A bigger and even better Bellingen Hospital coming soon.

The BHAG committee (past & present) wish to express our deep gratitude& thanks to all who have & continue to work towards a better local public health system for the Bellingen Shire.

We are pleased to announce that the recent fundraiser at Urunga “Down by the Riverside” raised $2,922.30.  The total amount that was raised from the jewellery raffle & event was just over $4,100.

Best wishes

Barbara Moore (Vice Chair BHAG)

Ref: Some historical data supplied with kind permission from Charlotte Rogers.