Families from regional NSW who need to stay in carers' accommodation at Canberra Hospital now have limited options due to COVID-19 and service upgrades reducing the site's capacity.
Canberra Health Services have relocated onsite accommodation to make way for the construction of additional critical services, reducing the capacity from 66 rooms to 24 in the new building.
However, COVID-19 restrictions have forced the health service to further reduce capacity — halving it to just 12 rooms.
Tony Larkings from Nethercote in South East NSW recently had to navigate the new accommodation system while his wife underwent surgery at Canberra Hospital.
He said while the services were well equipped and run by helpful staff, he believed the capacity should be increased to levels similar to the old accommodation.
"We need to have more accommodation," Mr Larkings said.
People living in regional NSW often rely on health services in the ACT and usually need to stay at onsite accommodation while family members or friends undergo treatment.
"We've got an ageing population and I'm one of those people."
Hotels available
Executive director of medical services for Canberra Hospital Nicholas Coatsworth said staff always did their best to accommodate the needs of all patients and family members.
"Particularly for our patients and their families from South East NSW, the old accommodation building is been knocked down to make way for the critical services building," he said.
The ACT Health website says the average number of people at their onsite accommodation has been between 40 to 50 people in recent years, with room prices varying between $40 to $85 a night depending on the length of stay and requirements.
However, patients and carers who live more than 100kms away from Canberra may also be eligible for accommodation support through the state Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.
