Announced on Monday, the state government funded upgrade will see the hospital’s birthing suite and general ward receive a makeover.  

Currently, the Gunnedah Hospital is the only one in the region that offers training to local TAFE nursing students.

Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey told The Namoi Valley Independent he believed any upgrades to a local training facility were of benefit to the community.

“I think any investment in our local medical facilities is a good investment,” Cr Chaffey said. 

“As our community does grow and we look to attract medical services and professionals into the region, a state of the art facility certainly does make that a lot simpler and easier.” 

Cr Chaffey said the upgrade would have a flow-on effect to the Gunnedah TAFE and help to produce local medical professionals.

“Of course the TAFE do a wonderful job in preparing people in our community with a variety of skills,” he said. 

“As a council we are really working closely with TAFE to ensure those types of trades grow as well.

“In any job while you are training there’s nothing like having hands-on practice.

“Theoretically you can learn so much from having those hands-on experiences and to have a facility so close by that is supportive of training is critical I think.” 

Cr Chaffey said he believed visiting students would be enticed to want to stay in Gunnedah.

“I’m personally not surprised that our hospital is leading the way in offering training to TAFE students and I’m confident that those students that do come from around the region will consider Gunnedah as a good place to live,” he said.

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Gunnedah Paediatric and Maternity Support group (PRAMS) founding member, Lauren Robertson said the groups fundraising efforts could extend to bringing more specialist staff to the hospital.

“As a group we have sort of exceeded our initial mission which was to save the hospital’s maternity ward, so now I guess we will focus our attention on doing what we can to bring more specialist staff to Gunnedah,” she said.

Mrs Robertson identified new midwives a potential specialist profession needed in the hospital.

“In my opinion it’s all about the training,” she said.

“So whether we work towards encouraging existing midwives from other hospitals or if we perhaps look to working with TAFE in developing the student nurses who are training in the hospital at the moment towards it I think the goal is achievable.”

The PRAMS member said the group would be very willing to work with TAFE on finding the best outcome for the community.

“I think as the community continues to grow and develop that it will mean more jobs and more people in the community,” she said.

“That’s why training is so important, I think everyone is on the same page in getting the best outcome for everyone and building our community.

“We would be happy to meet with TAFE and discuss options to help achieve those desired outcomes for the community.”

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the upgrade would have several benefits across the wider community.

“It’s all a part of that big picture, if you provide the best facilities and the best work space that will help attract people with those specialist skills to regional NSW,” Mr Anderson said.

No start date has currently been set for the upgrade works.