A $10 million treatment plan including the expansion and refurbishment of the hospital’s main entrance and emergency department was approved by Maitland City Council at last night’s meeting without comment.

The State Government will call for tenders in October, with construction scheduled for the end of January.

Stage one will include a new main entrance and new admission and reception areas.

“I was pleased to learn Maitland City Council had given the green light to what is an important investment by the Iemma Government in the Maitland region,” health minister Reba Meagher said after the decision. “It’s no secret that this area is growing rapidly and this new emergency department will help meet the acute health needs of the Maitland community and the surrounding region into the future.”

The development is the fulfilment of an election promise made in the lead-up to the State poll in March. The project will increase the number of patient treatment spaces from 17 to 25, reconfigure associated emergency department support spaces and change existing car parking, ambulance and pedestrian drop off areas.

It is tipped to have a positive effect on the city’s economy, creating jobs during the construction phase and in the health care sector when the redevelopment is complete. But Maitland MP Frank Terenzini said the biggest beneficiary would be the community.

More space in the expanded emergency department would mean extra comfort for both staff and patients during stressful situations.

“The $10 million redevelopment involves new building works, including a new front entrance, as well as refurbishment and extension of the existing emergency department,” Mr Terenzini said.