Plans have been submitted to council for the proposed Grafton Private Hospital and Specialist Centre, adjacent to the Grafton Base Hospital. The proposed centre is to be built on the Albion Hotel site, at the corner of Queen and Arthur Street, Grafton. The project has been instigated by local orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sam Martin and has been strongly supported by the community. “A lot of other doctors before me have tried [to get this project off the ground],” said Dr Martin. “I think the timing now, is right.” Dr Martin said that he can see a real need for this service in Grafton. “Patients have to go elsewhere for surgery or go on the long public waiting list. “Having a facility like this will bring more doctors to the area and get patients off the public list. “Not having a private hospital here is holding the area back from growing.” Dr Martin said that there has been a lot of hard work and preparation to get the DA before council and thanked everyone who has worked on the project so far. “The DA is now before council, so we will just have to wait and see. “It’s all been positive with council so far and they seem supportive of the idea.” “Having a private hospital in Grafton will be a milestone for the community.”