Tuesday 4 April 2017

Maitland MP Rejects Call To Shift Hospital Site

BY IAN CROUCH

Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison is rejecting calls to move the site of the proposed Lower Hunter Hospital from Metford to Kurri Kurri.

Cessnock Council will consider a motion from Liberal Councillor Paul Dunn tonight to locate the hospital within the grounds of the former Hydro Aluminium Smelter, believing it's a better site to service the entire Hunter Valley.

However, Jenny Aitchison says the Hunter Expressway has made travel to the John Hunter Hospital much faster for Cessnock residents and Metford should remain the preferred site.

"When you're looking at the Metford site for Maitland Hospital, it's around serving not just Maitland, not just Kurri, not just Cessnock and further up the valley that way, but it's also to the north-east where you've got Port Stephens, Raymond Terrace and Dungog," she said.

Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison