newy.com.au – Cessnock City councillor Quintin King has called on the NSW Government to fund maternity services at Cessnock Hospital in the next State Budget, saying rapid population growth is putting pressure on essential health infrastructure.

Cr King said the city’s growth meant local health services needed to keep pace, particularly for families who currently have to leave the area to give birth.

“Cessnock is now one of the fastest-growing local government areas in New South Wales, with population projections indicating growth of around 80 per cent by 2041,” Cr King said.

“Despite this extraordinary growth, families in our region still do not have access to a local maternity ward. Expectant mothers are forced to travel outside the area to give birth, placing unnecessary stress on families during one of the most important times in their lives.”

The call comes as work continues on the upgrade of Cessnock Hospital, which Cr King said provided an opportunity for the State Government to address what he described as a long-standing gap in local healthcare.

“With significant investment already being made in the hospital, the State Government should seriously consider incorporating maternity services into its future planning and budget priorities,” he said.

“As our population continues to grow, particularly with an increasing number of young families choosing to call Cessnock home, the demand for local maternity services will only increase.”

Cr King said a maternity ward should be treated as a basic health service for a growing regional city, rather than an optional addition.

“Our community deserves access to the same essential healthcare services that many other regional centres enjoy. A maternity ward is not a luxury, it’s a fundamental service that should be available in a city experiencing the level of growth we are seeing,” he said.

He urged the NSW Government to include funding for maternity services at Cessnock Hospital in the next financial year’s budget and to begin planning for future demand.

“Population growth brings opportunities, but it also brings responsibilities. We need to ensure our health services are prepared to meet the needs of the next generation of local families.”