Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (second from left) today announced that a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $2.45 million to extend Macquarie Home Stay in Dubbo. He is pictured with Macquarie Home Stay board member David Ringland, Chair Susie Hill and Managing Director Rod Crowfoot.
More patients and their families will be able to access accommodation while seeking medical treatment in Dubbo, with the Coalition Government committing $2.45 million in funding to extend Macquarie Home Stay.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton announced the funding during his campaign launch in Dubbo today.
“Macquarie Home Stay has become a vital service for people from right across the Parkes electorate who need to travel to Dubbo for medical care, whether that be expectant mothers preparing to give birth, day surgery patients or people undergoing treatment for cancer,” Mr Coulton said.
“The facility currently has 17 units which provide a low-cost home away from home for rural and remote patients and their families, taking the stress out of having to find suitable accommodation during what is often a very difficult time.
“But as Dubbo continues to grow as a health hub, following the opening of the Western Cancer Centre and upgrades to the hospital, more and more people are travelling for treatment and subsequently require accommodation.
“This has placed increased demand on Macquarie Home Stay, which is why this extension is so important.
“The $2.45 million in funding will be used to construct an additional 26 purpose-built units to support cancer patients who are undergoing treatment at the Western Cancer Centre.
“I’m thrilled to have helped secure the funding for this expansion, which will benefit so many families across my electorate.”
Macquarie Home Stay Managing Director Rod Crowfoot said this is great news for the residents of Western and North West NSW.
“Since opening three years ago, we have established ourselves as an integral part of the treatment journey for patients who travel to Dubbo for specialist medical care,” Mr Crowfoot said.
“As a medical hub to an enormous part of rural NSW, more patients are travelling vast distances to Dubbo seeking treatment. Our expansion is grounded on the increased demand that our accommodation facility experiences.
“The Australian and NSW governments’ investment in the Western Cancer Centre is now seeing patients being treated closer to home, and this funding announcement provides the opportunity for these patients to stay in appropriate and affordable accommodation for the duration of their treatment.
“Mark understands the important role Macquarie Home Stay plays in allowing patients to access appropriate accommodation whilst receiving treatment. Patients should not have to decide whether to receive treatment or not based on if they can afford it.
“Macquarie Home Stay is about ensuring the cost of accessing treatment takes this concern away, and the announcement today will allow us to undertake our 26-unit expansion and start construction this year.”
The $4.85 million Macquarie Home Stay Stage 2 expansion will be jointly funded, with the Australian Government investing $2.45 million while Macquarie Home Stay will contribute the remainder of funds.
The $2.45 million in funding is being committed by the Liberals and Nationals, provided the Coalition is returned to government at the 21 May election.
