Forbes’ new operating theatre has been funded in the 2025-2026 State budget.
Planning for the new and upgraded theatre will begin in coming months after $20.2 million was allocated to the project in the NSW Budget, announced on Tuesday 24 June.
The funds will build a new contemporary operating theatre and support spaces, incorporating integrated and virtual care technology, the budget documents say.
State Member for Orange Philip Donato welcomed the announcement: Forbes’ need for a new operating theatre was one of the priority projects for the electorate he presented to Parliament.
“NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has fully supported my budget priority to fund a new surgical theatre at the Forbes Hospital, with $20.2m being allocated in the budget to bring this facility up to modern spec and meet the growing demands on this medical facility,” Mr Donato said.
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“Planning for the new and upgraded Forbes Hospital operating theatre will begin in the coming months.
Mr Donato brought NSW Health Minister Ryan Park to Forbes to meet health staff and see the theatre himself in 2024.
A total 771 surgical procedures had been carried out at the health service in the 2023-2024 financial year, in an operating theatre more than 50 years old, Mr Donato said.
Health service staff, Forbes Shire Council representatives and Mr Donato showed Mr Park around the health service, also visiting the maternity ward and birthing suite which is catering for mums from Parkes and the region.
Forbes Shire Council has been lobbying for a new operating theatre for years, in 2021 receiving an official 'no' from the then NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
Local doctors told The Advocate at that time that the existing space, built in 1972, wasn’t big enough to accommodate all the equipment needed in a modern theatre and didn’t even have enough power points.
MP Philip Donato thanked the Minister for spending time in genuine consultation with the region's health staff.
“I want to take this opportunity to shout out to our hardworking doctors, nurses and staff and Forbes Hospital for all they do in caring for their community,” Mr Donato said.
A surgical robot for Orange Health Service has not been funded in the 2025-2026 Budget, and Mr Donato said he would work diligently to unravel the decision not to fund this reasonable public health budget request.
“I will continue to work with the Health Minister and the NSW Government, seeking to improve regional health capabilities with innovative health infrastructure - such as a surgical robot,” he said.
In other good news, the NSW Government has committed $27 million to repair water infrastructure damaged or destroyed in the flood events of November 2022.
Parkes Shire Council’s water pipeline from Lake Endeavour was washed away, while sewer infrastructure managed by Cabonne Council and water infrastructure managed by Central Tablelands Water were damaged in Eugowra, Canowindra and other Cabonne communities.
These projects were not eligible for other disaster relief funding.
