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The first sod has been turned in Albury's new Emergency Department, kick-starting a $36m upgrade that will transform how emergency care is delivered on the Border.

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and NSW Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor joined member for Albury Justin Clancy in turning the first sod at the Albury Hospital today. Both Ministers have also committed to progressing a new Inter-Governmental agreement between the two states which outlines how the health service is funded. 

In welcoming the Ministers, Albury Wodonga Health Board Chair Matt Burke OAM said the ED project would have significant benefits for patients and the dedicated staff who treat them.

"The people of Albury Wodonga have long known that we have some of Australia's best doctors, and some of Australia's best nurses – today we begin work to give them some of Australia's best facilities," he said. "Our vision has always been to deliver the best of health to our community, and with our new Emergency Department, we are going to be able to do exactly that.

"Significantly today, we saw a wonderful example of governments coming together to deliver vital infrastructure to the people of our region. It's this united approach by our respective state governments that will deliver this project, and it will be that unity we will need again as we look to tackle the challenges of the future."

Mr Burke and Albury Wodonga Health CEO Bill Appleby also took both Ministers on a tour of the Albury Hospital.

“We had some very productive discussions with the Ministers this morning about our health service, the challenges we face and the opportunities for the future,” Mr Burke said. “Those discussions were very constructive and we’re looking forward to collaborating with both governments moving forward. As they both said, health is beyond politics and we’re all committed to delivering the best possible healthcare services to people of our region.”

Mr Bill Appleby said the ED upgrade was a much-needed investment in the Border's emergency care capabilities.

"Every single nurse, every single doctor, every staff member working in healthcare, wants to make a difference in the lives of their patients, it's what we sign up for," he said. "With fit for purpose facilities, we're much better placed to provide the best possible care to the people in our region.

"We're the biggest health service between Melbourne and Sydney and when people arrive in our Emergency Department their situation can be quite critical. It's important that we have the capacity and capability through infrastructure, equipment, staffing and technology to respond to those in need of urgent care.

“Our discussions with the Ministers were very constructive and both sides are united in their desire to work closely together to deliver the best possible healthcare on the border. We’re looking forward to working with the respective Governments in progressing the new inter-governmental agreement and how that will look for our health service moving forward."

The ED project is being jointly funded by the Victorian State Government ($6m) and the NSW State Government ($30m) Stage One of the project is due for completion in late 2023. Stage Two is due for completion in mid-2024.

At A Glance: Features of the upgraded Emergency Department
More facilities, better care