Federal funding for rehab unit

Woy Woy Hospital will receive Federal funding for 20 sub-acute beds which will be used to help revive the Woy Woy Rehab Centre.

Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill announced the funding at a sod-turning ceremony for the Central Coast Regional Cancer Centre at Gosford Hospital on Wednesday, October 5.

"I'm delighted that the Gillard Government, through the Council of Australian Governments process, will commit funding for these 20 beds to this much-loved community hospital," Ms O'Neill said.

"This injection of federal funding will allow the long hoped-for reinstatement of rehab facilities at Woy Woy.

"I pay tribute to those in the community who have campaigned long and hard for this result.

"This is a great victory for the Peninsula."

Central Coast Local Health District chair Mr Paul Tonkin said he immediately welcomed the Federal support.

"It is wonderful news for the people of the Woy Woy Peninsula," said Mr Tonkin.

Woy Woy Hospital Auxiliary president Ms Phyllis Thomas was also present at the announcement.

Ms Thomas said she was "surprised and delighted" at the announcement which she described as "absolutely wonderful".

Auxiliary vice president Ms Pat Harding said she welcomed the better services for patients and the reduction in travel time that the funding would mean for people on the Peninsula.

Former member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews said the news was "wonderful" and would be a "big boost for the Peninsula".

"Congratulations to our federal member for her persistence in pursuing these funds for Woy Woy Hospital," Ms Andrews said.

Caption: Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein, member for Wyong Mr Darren Webber, member for The Entrance Mr Chris Spence, minister for the Central Coast Mr Chris Hartcher, cancer support group Candles representative Ms Lyn Smith, NSW minister for health Ms Jillian Skinner, member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill, NSW Cancer Voices representative Ms Kathy Smith and Central Coast Local Health District chair Mr Paul Tonkin at the federal funding announcement.

Media Release, 5 Oct 2011 Matt Pulford, Office of Deborah O'Neill MP