Tenders open for Roma Hospital early construction works

Tenders for an early works package to prepare the site for the construction of the new Roma Hospital have now opened.

Under the new Buy Queensland strategy, local businesses will have the best possible opportunity to win the work.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said a successful tenderer for the early works would be named by late October, with the works expected to start soon after.

The hospital is due to be completed by 2020.

“Our Buy Queensland policy unashamedly backs local jobs,” Mr Dick said.

“We will be applying up to a 30% local weighting on these projects and I encourage all eligible local companies to throw their hat in for the work.”

Mr Dick said as part of the continuing project delivery oversight process, the Department of Health also had reviewed funding for the new Roma Hospital to ensure the current level of investment met future requirements.

“Following this review, a submission was made and accepted by the Palaszczuk Government to increase the allocation for the new hospital from $70 million to $90.4 million,’’ he said.

“As with many complex, long-term, capital infrastructure investments, progressive adjustments sometimes must be made to funding levels to ensure the end result delivers the expected outcomes.

“We are determined as a government to ensure the new Roma Hospital meets the health care needs and expectations of the Roma, Maranoa and broader South West communities well into the future.’’

South West Hospital and Health Board Chair Jim McGowan AM said he welcomed the steady progress on the new hospital, as well as the additional funding.

“This is the single largest government investment in the South West in many years and it is good to see the government is committed to getting it right,’’ Mr McGowan said.

“The new hospital will deliver a significant economic boost to the Roma community during the construction phase, as well as a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the community well into the future once it is completed.

“It has already created a major buzz amongst our staff – and beyond.

“We are also getting a lot of interest from clinicians outside our region in applying for positions at Roma because they want to be part of the excitement of being involved in a brand new hospital build, as well as working here once it’s finished.’’

The hospital is part of the State Government’s $180 million Enhancing Regional Hospitals program and is being built specifically to meet the needs of the region, and to reflect the latest advances in healthcare and technology.

Mr Dick said the State Government was determined to ensure health infrastructure kept pace with the needs of expanding and evolving communities throughout Queensland.

“As a government we’re committed to making Queenslanders among the healthiest people in the world by 2026 and this means improving access to quality and safe healthcare in all its different forms and settings,’’ he said.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s continuing investment in the South West region will ensure health staff have the highest quality facilities from which to deliver their vital services.’’

New Roma Hospital Fast Facts

• 18 single rooms including palliative care and mental health care, two two-bed patient rooms and two birth suites, all with ensuites.
• The ground floor area will include a large shaded entrance, emergency department, medical imaging department, rehabilitation gym, café, allied health treatment areas, pharmacy and separate area for kitchen, laundry, stores and maintenance services.
• Entrance on McDowall St.
• Six accommodation units for families with patients in hospital, pregnant women waiting to birth, or people having to travel long distances for day surgery.
• Inpatient unit and birth suites will open to an outdoor landscaped area.
• Perioperative suite including two operating theatres, as well as education and training services and administration and staff facilities, will be on the first floor.
• The new hospital will include energy efficiency measures based on passive building design ­– including shading, insulation, building orientation and extent of glass and increased efficiency of plant and equipment.
• Free parking for 220 vehicles including a staff car park.

ENDS

Media Contact:

Emma McBryde 0447 155 332