Our hospital project team has been out and about, chatting to more than 70 people as part of recent pop-up information sessions at Manning Mall and Taree Central.
Staff from Hunter New England Local Health District and Health Infrastructure visited the two popular shopping centres to explain the concept for Manning Hospital stage 2, which includes new wards, pharmacy, pathology, and facilities for support services such as cleaning and linen.
Another key feature of the redevelopment will be the 'central spine', a new main corridor which will link the new and existing buildings, and make it easier for people to find their way around.
Heath Infrastructure Senior Project Director Jackie Hawkins said people were keen to know more about the redevelopment and share their experiences of the hospital with the project team.
"People were very interested to find out more about the plans for the new wards," Jackie said.
"They were also very supportive of the new 'central spine' corridor, which will allow us to separate patient transport from the public areas of the hospital, so moving patients between wards and services like theatres will be more private and dignified."
The team spoke to several current and former hospital staff members, including local Margaret who had worked in the hospital laundry for more than 30 years.
"We also had a lot of people stop and ask us where they could sign the petition for the new hospital, and we were delighted to tell them that the hospital has already been approved and we'll be starting work soon," Jackie added.
The feedback from the information sessions, combined with an earlier survey, will help the project team ensure that the new facilities meet the needs of the local community.
You can read the report here. Or to make a comment or ask a question, contact us here.
Find out what's important to the local community in the latest consultation report