INGHAM HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TO BEGIN SOON

Stage one of the Ingham Hospital redevelopment is expected to begin in March, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson visited Ingham Hospital today during a North Queensland trip to be briefed on progress for the redevelopment and meet with hospital staff.

Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government has committed an initial $22.1 million for the redevelopment project which has been planned with input from extensive community consultation.

“Construction is expected to begin in March this year, beginning with new Queensland Health staff accommodation,” Mr Robertson said.

“The accommodation block will have three one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit.

“They will be quality housing to help Queensland Health attract and retain clinicians for the local community.

“Tenders for construction of the staff accommodation are closed and a tenderer for the project will be announced soon.”

Mr Robertson said he expected little disruption to services provided to the community during construction of the new facilities.

“The new Ingham Hospital will provide 32 beds – two more than the existing facility - and a range of services including acute care services for medical and aged patients and some general surgery,” he said.

“Through this redevelopment our doctors and nurses will be able treat local patients with much better facilities in a much more modern environment.”

Ingham will continue to run an outpatient clinic with minor surgical procedures, immunisations, women's clinics and pathology sample collection, basic radiography, weekly ultrasounds and provision of pharmaceuticals during and after the redevelopment.

Outreach services in respiratory medicine, psychiatry, mental health, paediatrics, surgery and endoscopy will be ongoing in the new facility.

Community health services continue throughout the redevelopment including nursing, social work, oral health, physiotherapy, mental health services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care and child health.

Specialists such as surgeons, gastroenterologist, paediatricians and chest physician will also continue to visit Ingham for local appointments.

The Ingham Health Service covers almost 3,000 square kilometres and more than 15 thousand people.

Draft design plans for the redevelopment can be viewed in the foyers of the Ingham Hospital and local council chambers.

MEDIA: Joshua Cooney  3234 1185