There is concern that Macksville District Hospital might miss out on an upgrade promised in the 2014-15 NSW Budget.
Restart NSW has a $50 million funding allocation for upgrades to regional hospitals.
Oxley MP Andrew Stoner said Macksville would be one of them.
But GP and Visiting Medical Officer at Macksville Hospital, Dr Daniel Ryan, said nothing more has been heard about the upgrade.
He said staff are concerned the hospital will be forgotten when Mr Stoner retires at the March 2015 NSW election.
“He was quite confident that Macksville would get a substantial some of money,” he said.
“But we’ve really heard nothing since then.
“Now that Mr Stoner is going out at the next election, we’re really worried that the Government is going to ignore this area again.”
Dr Ryan said parts of the hospital are in a state of disrepair, and the upgrade is desperately needed.
“The hospital is 60 years old, and it really hasn’t been adequately maintained,” he said.
“Particularly the ward, it really doesn’t meet modern standards.
“It’s very difficult for the nurses to work there, it really brings into question the future of the hospital if we don’t get a substantial upgrade.”
Mr Stoner said plans for the upgrade have been developed, and are now under active consideration.
“An allocation of $50 million was made to accelerate upgrades of country hospitals which were not already identified in the forward estimates,” he said.
“Macksville District Hospital is eligible for this funding program.
“The Mid North Coast Local Health District has developed an upgrade plan and submission for consideration by the Department of Health, Infrastructure NSW and the Treasury.
“If funding is approved, consultation about the final scope and design of upgrade works will be undertaken with stakeholders, including staff and clinicians.
An announcement regarding funding is expected by the end of the year.”