Growth in Lake Macquarie continues to put a strain on our public health system and highlights the need for greater investment. I continue working toward securing more services to address emergency care, mental health, wraparound supports, chronic illness and rehabilitation needs.
Health on Life Support
Healthcare access in Lake Macquarie has been something I have relentlessly fought for during my time as Member for Lake Macquarie. Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) has identified the need for more public health services in southern Lake Macquarie.
The nearest acute-care hospitals, Wyong and John Hunter, are 31 and 57 kilometres away from Morisset respectively and are poorly accessed by public transport, which has led to a large part of the electorate being described as a public health desert.
We have seen the rollout of nurse practitioner and geriatric medicine clinics virtually and in person at the Southlakes Multi-Purpose Centre, including aged care, continence and wound care.
While this meets some urgent short-term needs, we need a full service solution for the future.
I continue to raise the need for a permanent public health presence in the southlakes region. Specifically, a Health One clinic in the Morisset area, as recommended by HNELHD, to address service gaps in the region and meet the needs of our growing population.
When people don't have access to local public health services, we see a rapid escalation of avoidable health conditions and an increase in emergency department presentations, putting more pressure on our already busy hospitals.
I was pleased to join Minister for Health, Ryan Park MP, Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Adam Shultz and Council’s CEO David Hughes in September 2026 to announce the $350,000 investment to expand Rehab In The Home services across southern Lake Macquarie.
The service helps patients receive rehabilitation back in their own homes, cutting down the reliance on hospitals in our region.
I called for this investment, and advocated to the Minister on behalf of the community before the last budget. I'm pleased the funding has been provided.
As one of the fastest-growing areas in the region, southern Lake Macquarie continues to see increasing demand for local health services. This addition builds on the successful 2025 rollout of nurse practitioner-led wound care, continence and aged care outreach clinics, which have experienced increasing demand.
Announcing Rehab in the Home Services for South Lake Macquarie.
After nearly 120 years operating as a Mental Health Facility, Morisset Hospital is now in the process of being decommissioned. Patients from Morisset will be transferred to the new Maitland Mental Health Care Facility, currently under construction.
For over a century, Morisset Hospital has not only served its patients, but also the community as a place of employment, including myself at one time. It is now imperative we do everything in our power to retain as much of the site and its heritage value as possible for generations to come.
As the Hospital reaches its clinical end, I am pleased the Office of Sport has secured a parcel of the land to become the home of the new Morisset Sports Facility to replace the ill-fated Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre whose sudden closure was much debated.
More information on the future of Morisset Hospital as a Sport and Recreation Centre HERE.
Touring the grounds of Morisset Hospital with NSW Premier, Chris Minn,s and the Honourable Yasmin Catley MP, Minister for Hunter.
