Health leaders release $ 68M revamp plan to fix sick Westmead precinct ahead of election
by : VIKKI CAMPION From : The Daily Telegraph June 06 , 20131:06PM
Professor Roger Reddell ( R ) with then Liberal opposition leader Barry O ' Farrell at the Westmead Children ' s Medical Research Institute in 2011 to announce $ 50 million funding for the Research precinct including the Millennium Institute . Picture : Jeff Herbert Source : The Daily Telegraph
HEALTH leaders have released a $ 68 million revamp plan of a key health precinct in the marginal seat of Parramatta in Sydney ' s west , challenging both parties to fix " drastic " infrastructure issues in the lead up to the election .
Westmead , which treats 1 million patients a year and employs 16,000 health professionals and researchers , was plagued with a backlog of " mundane issues " such as a lack of car parking and amenity , holding back the future of Australia ' s biggest medical precinct .
An alliance of health leaders , including Parramatta City Council , the Sydney Children ' s Hospital Network , Westmead Private Hospital , University of Sydney , Westmead Millenium Institute and the Western Sydney Local Health Service District , today revealed a concept plan to relieve the area of parking and congestion pressures , turning the tired streets into tree-lined boulevards .