Greens announce $20 million Camden Hospital & Macarthur area healthcare upgrade

2019-03-22

The Greens have today committed to a $20 million investment in Camden Hospital and community palliative care for the Campbelltown and Camden area.

This investment will improve and expand the Camden Hospital emergency department, provide increased staffing, and increase the community home palliative care program to include assisted dying for patients who wish to seek assistance from their medical practitioners to die safely and with dignity at home.

Greens candidate for Camden Karen Stewart said:

“It’s time for Camden to receive the world-class healthcare we deserve. That means reinvigorating our A&E department, supporting nurses and relieving the stress of understaffing, and empowering our community with comprehensive in-home palliative care services.

“Camden Hospital has long been neglected, with patients being transferred back and forth between Camden and Campbelltown hospitals to get the care they need.

“A comprehensive emergency department upgrade to Camden Hospital will reduce the pressure on Campbelltown and Liverpool hospitals and keep patients close to home.

“The Greens are the only party with a genuine commitment to Greater Western Sydney. Camden Hospital needs an upgrade, and The Greens will provide it.”

Greens candidate for Campbelltown Jayden Rivera said:

“The Macarthur community really needs an investment in our health and community home palliative care.

“As a local resident of Campbelltown for over 25 years, and having seen loved ones suffer, I understand  what our community needs.

“For too long our area has been neglected by successive state governments. It’s time for us to have access to the health services we deserve. That starts with ensuring we have a well-resourced emergency department and hospital staff aren’t overworked.

“Presentations at Campbelltown Hospital are almost on par with those at Liverpool Hospital. Our community desperately needs an expansion of Camden’s emergency department to ensure Campbelltown and Camden residents consistently receive the attentive quality healthcare they deserve.

“The Greens are committed to ensuring the Campbelltown and Camden area is properly cared for. Our plan will provide landmark healthcare services and ensure that our hospital can support the whole of our community.”

Greens lead upper house candidate David Shoebridge MLC said:

“The Greens are committed to ensuring that all of NSW has access to world-class universal healthcare.

“The Government's consistent underfunding of healthcare has undermined the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW.

“It’s time to reverse the damage the Liberals have done to healthcare in South West Sydney. That starts with this upgrade to Camden Hospital.”

The $20 million investment will fund:

  • Camden Hospital extension for a new higher capacity and fully functioning Accident and Emergency Department, relieving pressure on Campbelltown Hospital.

  • Increase the community home palliative care program, including additional doctors available at patient request, voluntary assisted dying access, family support services, and death certification 24 hours a day.

  • Increased staffing across the hospital and further support for our nurses

  • General hospital refurbishments

Media contacts:

For Jayden Rivera & Karen Stewart - Sophie Callard 0418 742 429

For David Shoebridge - Andrew Bradley 0403 777 137