The Minns Labor Government has today announced David Berry Hospital will remain in public hands and continue to offer healthcare to the community into the future.

This is part of the Government’s ongoing work to deliver better health services to the region. Today’s announcement is the latest in the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuild healthcare across the Illawarra and South Coast after twelve years of neglect under the Liberals.

This work has included:

• Passing legislation to ban any future privatisation of acute public hospitals, so the Liberals can never again sell them off.
  
  
• Making permanent the over 1,100 nurses the former Liberal Government planned to sack – 61 of whom worked to care for South Coast communities.
  
  
• Abolishing the Liberal Government’s wages cap to deliver better pay and conditions to essential workers, while the Liberal Party refuse to rule out its reintroduction.
  
  
• Recruiting an additional 43 FTE nurses for Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Hospitals’ emergency departments to ensure Safe Staffing Levels – one of the most significant reforms in the way our hospitals have been staffed in decades.

The Minns Labor Government’s approach is in stark contrast to the former Liberal Government which planned to privatise five hospitals across NSW including Shellharbour hospital, and capped the wages of our health workers, nurses and paramedics below the cost of living.

Since March 2023, the Minns Labor Government has repeatedly been clear David Berry Hospital will remain in public hands and the community would be consulted on its future use - while the Liberal Opposition have continued to politicise the matter.

Today’s announcement follows comprehensive engagement with the community, including the 2024 Have Your Say survey which saw nearly 1,200 people share their views of on the future of health and wellness services at the hospital, and independent consultants engaging directly with more than 130 community members and staff through focus groups and pop-up events.

The Government has listened and will continue to work with health experts and the community including dedicated consultation with the local Aboriginal community to explore various health related options for the site.

The community can be assured that palliative care and rehabilitation services will continue to be delivered from David Berry Hospital until these services are moved to the redeveloped $440 million Shoalhaven Hospital in 2027.

The community will continue to be kept updated as this next phase of consultation is undertaken.

Premier Chris Minns said:

We have listened to the community and will ensure David Berry Hospital not only remains in public hands but continues to provide health services to the local community. “Public health assets should never be sold off to the highest bidder, and under Labor they never will be.

“We know there is still more to be done and if Katelin is elected on Saturday, she will be a strong local voice in my government to deliver better health services for this community, including at David Berry Hospital.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

David Berry Hospital has been part of the community for more than a century and, although no longer suitable for its original purpose, it’s important that the continued future use of the site aligns with the values and needs of the local community.

“You cannot trust the Liberals when it comes to privatisation of our public assets. We have seen time and time again they will say one thing before an election and backflip the second they’re given the chance.

“The Minns Labor Government has kept its promise to keep David Berry Hospital serving locals and we’ve listened closely to the community’s feedback about keeping the site for health-related purposes.

“I’ve had countless conversations with Katelin about David Berry and know that if she is elected on Saturday, she will be a strong advocate in the Minns Labor Government when it comes to delivering better healthcare for the community.”

Labor candidate for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:

For generations, David Berry Hospital has been a valued part of our community, and the site holds a special place in the hearts of local residents.

“The Minns Labor Government has stood firm on the fact it will remain in public hands. Through ongoing consultation and engagement, we’re ensuring the site will remain a meaningful presence for the health of the region.”