Tweed hospital turns one

TWEED Valley Hospital has marked its first year of operation, celebrating the care of more than 56,000 emergency patients and the birth of 1,082 babies since opening last May.

The milestone was marked with a community barbecue, choir performances and a ceremonial cake cutting, attended by former patients, staff, community members, local leaders and politicians.

Among the guests of honour were Johannah and Martin Espie and their son Wilder Bloom, the first baby born at the new hospital.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the $723 million facility had transformed health care access in the region.

“During that visit, we met the first baby born here, and now it’s incredible to know that more than a thousand have been welcomed,” Park said.

“The sheer volume of people who have been treated in the ED just shows how critically important this facility is to the community here.”

Over the past 12 months, the hospital has conducted 10,398 surgeries, treated 56,406 emergency presentations, admitted 33,751 patients and welcomed more than 1,300 patients to local cardiology and radiation oncology services. These treatments were previously only available outside the region.

It also hired an additional 330 staff, including doctors, nurses and support workers.

Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Tracey Maisey thanked staff and the community for their support.

“Their enthusiasm and dedication to patient care is building an enduring foundation which will stand the hospital in good stead well into the future,” Maisey said.

“I’d like to thank everyone, including our staff and volunteers as well as patients, visitors and the wider community, for your support, which will ensure we continue to provide world-class healthcare at this great health facility.”