Australia's New South Wales (NSW) Government has allocated a portion of the existing Batemans Bay Hospital on Pacific Street as the new site for Batemans Bay Community Health Service.

The decision came after an assessment of potential locations picked by Health Infrastructure and Southern NSW Local Health District.

These two bodies are currently discussing final plans for the service, which will require an A$20m ($12.8m) total investment.

Information sessions for the local community, stakeholders and staff are planned for early next year.

Batemans Bay Community Health will aim to increase access to allied health, aboriginal health, women’s health/sexual health, community mental health and drug and alcohol services, as well as child, youth and family services.

It will also improve access to urgent care for minor injury and illness, along with primary health care services such as wound management, nursing and palliative care.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Michael Holland said: “The NSW government is investing A$20m to provide a modern, dedicated community health service in Batemans Bay to meet the healthcare needs of the community now and into the future.

“Batemans Bay Community Health will be a sustainable, dedicated community health service, which will work alongside the new A$260m Eurobodalla Regional Hospital to ensure the community has access to the right health care in the right setting.

“The Batemans Bay Hospital site makes good sense with much of the infrastructure and transport routes already in place, ensuring we can maximise value for the community.”

A new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) with bulk-billing services is due to launch at the hospital in the near future.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the UCC will strengthen health services for the local community.

It follows the recent opening of a Medicare UCC at Northwest Health in Tamworth, NSW.