Healthcare staff accommodation for Boggabri Multi-Purpose Service

Two units for frontline healthcare workers will be constructed at the Boggabri Multi-Purpose Service to boost staff accommodation availability.

The NSW government announced on Tuesday morning that the town would join communities across the New England and North West regions to offer the facilities to visiting health staff.

Twenty-two rural units will be rolled out across the Hunter New England Local Health District as part of a state government $35 million Regional Housing Package.

Units are already available to visiting workers in Gunnedah, Quirindi, Walcha, Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell and Scone.

Boggabri’s healthcare worker units are in addition to plans by Narrabri Shire Council to provide medical housing in the town.

The previous council agreed in February 2021 to provide a suitable prefabricated home on vacant council land at 37 Dalton Street, then at an estimated cost of $274,800.

At the December 2022 council meeting, the provision of medical housing was heard in closedcouncil.

Councillors resolved to have general manager Rob Williams produce a report outlining options for the provision of housing.

The provision of the home was to be funded through the Maules Creek voluntary planning agreement for Boggabri community projects.

In relation to the state government’s Boggabri units, NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said accommodation is a key determining factor for many visiting medical, nursing and allied health staff when choosing a facility to work.

“The NSW Nationals are working hard to attract temporary and permanent staff to our local health facilities, and having safe and comfortable housing close to the hospital is one of the many incentives on offer,” he said.

Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor said the continued investment in safe and comfortable housing for health workers would support ongoing recruitment efforts.

“Having seen the first tranche of units and speaking with staff, I’m pleased we’ve been able to deliver key worker accommodation that’s sustainable, close to our facilities and with stylish and comfortable amenities.”

“The continued investment in these sustainable accommodation units means we can re-invest funds that were previously used for off-site accommodation, back into frontline services.”

The new accommodation units will be used to support visiting specialists, medical officers, nurses, midwives and allied health staff on short term contracts. They will also be available to staff who have permanently relocated while they secure local housing.

Hunter New England Local Health District received $20 million as part of the government’s $35 million Regional Housing Package, which is driving construction in regional areas and delivering critical health accommodation improvements for staff.

The $35 million-dollar Regional Housing Package for health is part of the NSW government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package to deliver long term support and certainty for the regions.

Hunter New England Local Health District was the first to implement the facilities, with Western NSW Local Health District rolling out key worker accommodation in the district soon after.