"The other morning was particularly beautiful. There was mist on the river, the sun was rising, and there was a rowing crew out from Sydney University and they called out 'You guys live in paradise!' and we do.

"But paradise can't look after itself, we have to fight for it."

This fight comes in the form of the ongoing call for Manning Hospital to receive stage one funding from the State government.

At Manning Valley Business Chamber's Public Health Forum on Wednesday February 25, election candidates and local health professionals spoke of their concerns about the funding of proposed hospital infrastructure improvements and its impact on service delivery at Manning Hospital.

Speakers on the evening were acting general manager of Manning Rural Referral Hospital Jodie Nieass, Manning Health Committee chair Don Macinnis OAM, Manning Health Committee member Sally Crawford, Medical Staff Council chair Dr Murray Hyde Page Country Labor candidate, Dr David Keegan, Independent candidate Steve Attkins and Nationals candidate and member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead.

Councillours in attendance was mayor Paul Hogan, deputy mayor David West, general manager Ron Posselt, Cr Alan Tickle, Cr Robyn Jenkins, Cr Brad Christensen and Cr Kathryn Bell.

Moderator of the evening was David Freeman, with assistance from president of the Manning Valley Business Chamber, Jeremy Thorton.

Jeremy Thorton, believed it was agreed unanimously amongst the speakers that there was the need for funding.

"It was clear all four candidates have heard the message," Mr Thorton said. "It is now time to keep the pressure on, in order to ensure they get the funding."

A reoccurring theme of the night from the speakers and audience was the need for community action on the issue.

Manning Hospital Medical Staff Council chair Dr Murray Hyde Page, confirmed that the community was the basis for action in Port Macquarie's Hospital infrastructure funding.

During question and answer time community advocate Beth Fuller asked "How does the community take the next step?"

Mr Thorton invited those in the community who are interested in forming a sub-committee for the hospital to attend the chamber's meeting next Tuesday at noon at Club Old Bar.

Manning Health Committee member Sally Crawford wants these community voices to be heard by Health Minister Jillian Skinner.

"I would like our voices to get to Minister Skinner on this matter, and I would like a clear, lucid and logical response from her - because I can't find a logical response in my head," said Mrs Crawford.

"Governments are by nature unwieldy, I can't imagine Health Minister has gone about trying to interrupt the economy of regional areas."

When questioned on the likelihood of gaining a response from the minister, member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead confirmed a response is coming.

The Manning River Times contacted the office of Minister for Health Services Jillian Skinner on Thursday February 26.

The Manning River Times received a response from the Minister's office: "An announcement about the Manning Hospital upgrade will be made in due course."

Until then, in the words of Manning Health Committee chair Don Macinnis OAM, "I think it's time we got cracking!".

Funding in question

MEMBER for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead confirmed at Manning Valley Business Chamber's forum that Manning Hospital is listed as one of the regional hospitals to share in the allocation of $50 million.

Greater Taree City councillor Alan Tickle asked what amount and when the hospital will receive this funding, but Mr Bromhead was unable to answer the question on the evening.

Mr Bromhead was contacted by the Manning River Times for comment on the address he delivered at the forum.

"My message to the meeting was clear: I have been fighting for government funding for Stage 1 of the redevelopment since the Clinical Services Plan was signed off in the second half of 2013," Mr Bromhead said.

"The critical element is that in the very next State Budget for 2014-15, Manning Base Hospital is listed as one of the regional hospitals to share in the allocation of $50 million. This money, plus funding from the NSW Health budget is needed to commence stage one which is estimated at $20 million.

"I explained the competitive nature of funding for regional hospitals and the need to have 'all our ducks in a row' to be a priority case for funding.

"This was achieved with the Clinical Services Plan and Master Building Plan having been completed and I have taken every opportunity to press the case for funding with the NSW Minister for Health.

"As I mentioned in my address to the forum, the minister has visited our hospital on many occasions and she is well aware of its requirements.

"I am most hopeful that the money needed to start phase one of the redevelopment will be announced soon."

On February 27 Health Minister Jillian Skinner and Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead today visited Manning Hospital to annouce a re-elected Baird Government will invest $20 million to begin its major development.