Whatever happens at the next state election, Thomas George (Nationals) will not be the member for Lismore come April.
But in what some would say is a fitting end to his long career, Mr George joined members of the Northern NSW Local Health District in marking a high point – quite literally – in the construction of the Lismore Base Hospital North Tower project.
As part of today’s ‘topping out’ ceremony, Mr George unveiled a small shrub and signed his name on the rooftop slab following the completion of the eight-level building.
Mr George said it had been ‘exciting to witness the North Tower take shape over the past seven months’.
‘I want to commend the work of both the construction company John Holland and NSW Health Infrastructure for getting the project to this point, less than a year after the start of construction,’ he said.
The North Tower Project began as a $180 million commitment by the NSW Government to a four-level building.
In June 2017, the Government announced $52.5 million to construct an additional four levels, bringing the building to eight levels.
Mr George said the $232.5 million third stage of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment would enable the facility to meet the needs of the community into the future.
‘The Lismore Base Hospital services our entire region. The new and upgraded facilities will make sure the health district can continue to cater for the Northern Rivers’ diverse and changing population for decades to come.’
When complete the North Tower will include:
- new inpatient wards, including one medical and one surgical ward;
- a new intensive care unit and high dependency unit;
- new pharmacy;
- new imaging/radiology unit;
- new peri-operative unit;
- hospital administration facilities;
- additional plant facilities.
Once the North Tower is finished in 2020, refurbishment works will commence on the existing hospital and will include new education, training, and research facilities as well as the consolidation of community health and ambulatory care services.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
