Australia's New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced plans to start construction soon on the new Canowindra HealthOne facility.

NSW Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said the facility, which is expected to bring a range of healthcare services, is in the final planning stages.

The project received a further A$2.3m ($1.5m) funding in the 2023-2024 NSW Budget, bringing the project’s total investment to A$8.3m.

Expected to create a one-stop shop for the community’s health and wellbeing needs, the Canowindra HealthOne facility will house a range of providers such as local general practitioners (GPs) and community healthcare services.

Park said: “The new facility will be on the existing hospital site improving continuity of care by creating a more seamless experience as people move between hospital, primary care, and community settings.

“Importantly, the new facility will also have scope for expansion, which will create attractive opportunities for health professionals and help to maintain high-quality, sustainable health services for the community.”

Western NSW Corporate Services Local Health District Director Jeff Morrissey said preparations have started to carry out early works on the site.

Morrisey said: “The community can expect to see the HealthOne progress quickly now as we move through the final planning and design stages. Work will begin early next year to remove the existing site dwellings and prepare for construction of the new HealthOne.”

Canowindra Health service manager Matt McGrath said the HealthOne redevelopment involves a complete overhaul of the palliative care space of the hospital. This was completed in August 2023.

McGrath added: “The refurbished palliative care space at the hospital is already helping to keep patients and families as comfortable as they can be while they receive care.”