The resolution to form the project steering committee was reached between Southern NSW Local Health District and the Cooma Monaro Dialysis / Renal Group after bureaucratic delays and concerns about communication.

The driving force for the dialysis unit - the Cooma Monaro Dialysis Renal Group has been asked to recommend a consumer representative and a community representative for the steering committee.

Member for Monaro John Barilaro welcomed the progress being made towards the delivery of the new renal dialysis facility at Cooma Hospital.

“At my recent meeting with Dr Alexander, CEO of the Southern NSW Local Health District, I was able to convey to the bureaucracy a clearer understanding of the community’s vision for the facility,” Mr Barilaro said.

“I am delighted that since this meeting significant progress has been made, including the selection of the location and configuration of the new facility.”

Mr Barilaro also said the design of the new dialysis facility would incorporate future expansion to accommodate eight dialysis chairs, and none of the new investment will be used for maintenance on existing hospital facilities.

There will also be an increased consultation with the dialysis group and the steering committee, he said.

Cooma Monaro Dialysis Renal group chair Dugald Mitchell said space for the extra four chairs to eight was not considered a major issue by the Group, but the provision of plumbing for the future expansion of the facility was needed.

“The reason why the group wants the future expansion to eight chairs is that the present and future patient numbers that the group has carefully put together is more than will be serviced by the four chairs,” Mr Mitchell said.

“In addition there will be a growing need to service dialysis patients who are tourists to the region.

“The group is also very pleased by the assurance from members of the steering committee that local people will be used whenever possible in the construction of the project,” Mr Mitchell said.

The steering committee met last Tuesday, and unanimously decided on a site within the hospital. This will allow detailed plans to be drawn up.

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