Theatre services at Corowa Hospital will resume on July 17 after extensive maintenance of the theatre suite and installation of new endoscopy equipment.
Services were paused in May last year to allow for the upgrades which will allow staff to resume endoscopy services and minor procedures, which were previously undertaken.
Corowa Health Service facility manager, Krista Sutherland-Smith said facility staff were looking forward to resuming services.
“The resumption of endoscopy services will once again provide an important local screening and diagnostic service,” Ms Sutherland-Smith said.
“Our staff are very excited about the resumption of services and looking forward to continuing to do what they do best, caring for the people of Corowa and the border region.
“Our priority has always been ensuring that Corowa Health Service continues to play a vital role in the delivery of acute healthcare services to the community.”
Albury MP, Justin Clancy toured the facility this week and paid credit to the staff at Corowa Health.
“Initiatives, including this theatre, stem from their care and passion, which is clearly evident,” Mr Clancy said.
“This has been a long time coming and I thank community for their patience.
“Having seen it for myself, I hope this is well worth the wait.”
Although Mr Clancy acknowedged the upgrades as a positive step forward he said there was certainly more that needed to be done.
After touring the facility, he met with Federation mayor, Cheryl Cooke and MLHD chief exeutive, Jill Ludford to continue the push to complete service planning for Corowa Hospital.
“Engagement with the community needs to be part of that,” Mr Clancy said.
“This is a positive step forward but there is certainly more that needs to be done.
“I’d like to see the emergency department redeveloped … we will push for continued improvements.”
Corowa. Rutherglen, Wahgunyah Health Action Group member, John Crothers agreed the facility was a positive step but said there needed to be more focus on hospitals like Corowa to take the pressure of Albury Hospital.
“The problems at Albury Hospital won’t be fixed for years,” Mr Crothers said.
“We need to think about today and about continuing to improve the services offered at Corowa.”
Murrumbidgee Local Health District executive director operations, Carla Bailey thanked the community for their patience and apologised for the inconvenience.
“MLHD is committed to providing the best possible care to our communities and we’re looking forward to seeing regular theatre services resume at Corowa,” she said.