NSW Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell has labelled a multi-million dollar Port Macquarie Base Hospital upgrade as “a significant priority” just days out from the Port Macquarie by-election.

A fortnight ago, the Coalition pledged to build the long-awaited new wing, or fourth pod, in its first term in government and immediately expand the emergency department if elected to government in 2011.

Mr O’Farrell stood behind the commitment yesterday in the lead-up to his visit to Port Macquarie to support The Nationals candidate Leslie Williams on the campaign trail.

Today, Mr O’Farrell will join Mrs Williams in a street walk, attend a lunch with the business community and an afternoon tea with community leaders.

The NSW Opposition leader told the Port News yesterday the Coalition recognised that Port Macquarie, one of the fastest growing regions on the coast, deserved quality health care.

Mr O’Farrell said not only had the opposition committed to the hospital upgrade but he understood there had been a significant amount of pre-planning done.

“We need to move beyond that planning and ensure in the planning and delivery that those people who work in the system and rely on the services are effectively consulted,” he said.

“We would hope our commitment and the election of Leslie Williams would spur even the current state Labor government to get on with the serious work required.”

The fourth pod would cost about $70 million.

Mr O’Farrell said the Coalition was committed to the upgrade in its first term in government.

“The sooner NSW Health gets on with the planning, the sooner it will be able to be delivered in the first term,” he said.

Mr O’Farrell would not comment about Mrs Williams’ chances of winning the Port Macquarie by-election, saying he would leave that to the commentators.

He described the registered nurse as a “passionate community advocate”. He met Mrs Williams seven or eight years ago when she was at the forefront of the Lake Cathie school campaign.

Eleven candidates are contesting Saturday’s by-election.