Blue Mountains doctors have pushed for the establishment of a specialist dementia unit at Katoomba Hospital ahead of Saturday's state election.
The Medical Staff Council discussed the proposal on Monday, March 16 which would see a six-bed secure dementia unit converted from existing wards at the hospital. The plan would be kickstarted by $150,000 raised from last year's Leura Gardens Festival, which has been allocated for a yet-to-determined special project.
"We are encouraging the local [state election] candidates to consider upgrading Blue Mountains Hospital to focus on dementia care," said medical staff council member, Dr John England.
"Blue Mountains Hospital could become a centre of excellence for assessing people with regard to dementia and falls."
Dr England said a dementia unit at Katoomba Hospital would relieve pressure at Nepean Hospital, while helping attract specialist staff to Katoomba.
"If we have doctors who are confident to refer their patients to a specialist assessment centre [at Katoomba], the centre will only grow," he said.
Although in the early planning stages, the proposal would see two existing four-bedroom wards at Katoomba converted to a six-bed, secure dementia ward with dedicated nursing and ancillary staff.
Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage said: "With our ageing population here, I would definitely push for it."
NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said with the high number of retirees and older people living in the Mountains, she believed there would be increasing demand for such a unit.
Labor candidate for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle also said the idea had merit.
"This issue is already identified in the 2012 Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Healthcare Services Plan as a priority for both Katoomba and Springwood Hospitals," Ms Doyle said.
"I would be concerned about losing existing beds from Katoomba Hospital but am fully supportive of the ideas driven by our local doctors, so would like to work through the suggestion to ensure the best outcome for the Mountains."
