Forbes investment stays on schedule

Thanks to a $40.9 million investment from the NSW government, that will no longer be the case, said Forbes Shire Council mayor Ron Penny.

"We cover a big area out here - if people in places like Condobolin or Grenfell need a hospital, they come to places like Forbes or Parkes," Cr Penny said.

The funding for the redevelopment of the old Forbes hospital will cover an upgrade for the emergency department and inpatient ward, birthing suites for maternity services, a CT scanner, an upgrade for the ambulatory care treatment area, and clinical support services.

"We need those services," Cr Penny said.

He said there had been concern in the Forbes community that it would not receive enough funding to adequately upgrade the hospital, particularly when Parkes received more funding.

However, after additional funding from the NSW government brought the total investments to $72.5 million for Parkes and $40.9 million for Forbes, the community was satisfied.

"In Parkes, they have to start from scratch, while here we're redeveloping the original site," Cr Penny said.

"It's a beautiful old building - it will look spectacular and deliver the goods (after the redevelopment)."

Earlier this month, the tender to refurbish Forbes Hospital's heritage (Maclean) building and demolish Kumbiri House was awarded to Zauner Construction, and work is scheduled for completion in late 2016.

The work at the Parkes Hospital will include similar redevelopments to those in Forbes, including improvements to the emergency department and inpatient ward, new chemotherapy and dental facilities, and an advanced operating suite and birthing suites for maternity services.