Tumut Hospital was officially opened last year. Photo: Supplied.
Health workers are giving a big thumbs-up to the Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s (MLHD) brand-new staff accommodation at the recently opened Tumut Hospital.
The five purpose-built units are on the hospital grounds and provide a great option for incoming healthcare workers.
MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford said the units already were helping to attract more staff to the area.
“By removing one of the stressors around finding temporary accommodation when working at Tumut Hospital, especially for agency staff, we can let people focus on their work and showcase the best we have to offer here in Murrumbidgee Local Health District,” Ms Ludford said.
“These new units have been designed with security and comfort in mind. They are equipped with all the necessities, including kitchenettes, comfortable living areas, ensuite bathrooms, and are even pet friendly.
“The new accommodation is available to both new permanent staff members who are still establishing themselves in a community, as well as health professionals coming in on a temporary basis.”
The new health worker accommodation was transported from Wagga and installed in Tumut on the same day. Photo: Prefabulous.
The units were designed and built in Wagga by Bomen-based modular housing company Prefabulous.
“Our architects put together a concept and put it to the contractor and they loved it, so we jumped onto it straight away,” said managing director Gavin King.
“We did five single-bedroom dwellings. They were built here in Wagga and then we put them on trucks at 7 in the morning and had them all lifted into their location by 1 o’clock that same day.
“It takes a couple of weeks after that to do the landscaping and the footpaths and services and that sort of thing, but it’s far more efficient than having tradies on site for nine months, coming and going and making noise next to an operating hospital.”
The new accommodation boasts all the creature comforts and a great view. Photo: Prefabulous.
The project is part of a $45.3 million commitment by the NSW Government to deliver updated accommodation close to health facilities in the Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW and Far West Local Health Districts.
Tumut Hospital interim facility manager Jane Turner said the new accommodation already had received positive feedback from staff members.
“We are very excited to see these new accommodation units completed and we have already received wonderful feedback about them,” Ms Turner said.
“The staff say they are comfortable, conveniently located, and suitable for visiting family members as well. Of course, they also feature spectacular views of our beautiful town, and we hope that it inspires them to consider a more permanent tree change to the Riverina.”
The new $50m Tumut Hospital officially opened in October last year after accepting patients in 2021.
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