Karen Absolom, Cluster Manager at the MLHD said that there was a significant amount of interest shown by people who stopped by to view the concept design, many of whom had their own questions about the planned upgrades for the Leeton Hospital.

This latest design has been created in the wake of ongoing planning and consultations held in 2020 and in recent months between MLHD staff, local council and community representatives who are part of the user group.

"The reaction from the community was overwhelmingly positive, people were really happy to hear that there was money being invested in the hospital" Mrs Absolom said.

In the 2020 - 2021 budget the MHLD received $663.9m in funding, an increase of $15.9m or 2.45 percent on the previous years financial budget.

The NSW Government further invested $2.5m in an upgrade for the hospital in 2020, following funding approval for the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).

MLHD Chief Executive Jill Ludford said that the release of the latest concept design was welcome progress in the project.

Currently, the project includes:

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Leeton Shire Council Mayor, Paul Maytom said that he was happy with the concept design.

"This design will certainly improve the service ability and offerings at Leeton Hospital" Mr Maytom said.

However, he noted that whilst funding towards infrastructure can improve some aspects of the hospital, the staff are still working in a broken system.

"Money can only improve so much" Cr Maytom said.

"The healthcare system is fundamentally broken and is not only failing Leeton but many other rural hospitals."

Just recently, nurses and midwifes at Leeton Hospital rallied for better pay conditions to attract workers to the area, in an affect to increase nurse to patient ratios.

The upgrade is expected to commenced in the second half of 2021 with an estimated date of completion in 2022.

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