MORE BEDS OPEN AT PRINCE CHARLES HOSPITAL
Published Thursday, 15 February, 2007 at 01:01 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
A new 30-bed ward is up and running at the Prince Charles Hospital as part of the State Government’s $108.5 million redevelopment of the facility, Premier Peter Beattie said today.
Mr Beattie joined Health Minister Stephen Robertson to officially open the new General Medicine Ward and inspect progress on the hospital redevelopment at Chermside.
He said 10 hospital beds had already opened in the ward with the remaining 20 and another 10-bed short stay unit to come on line next month.
“The new General Medicine Ward is the first step in a massive bed opening program at the Prince Charles Hospital,” Mr Beattie said.
“In the same building upstairs, a new intensive care unit is being fitted out to commence next month, complete with 27 intensive care beds.
“By the end of the redevelopment next year, the Prince Charles Hospital will have increased its bed capacity by over 140 beds, allowing it treat thousands more patients every year.”
Mr Beattie said the new building also features a new emergency department which will open initially as a chest pain centre next Wednesday (February 21) and gradually expand into a full-scale ED during the next 12 to 18 months, relieving pressure on other hospitals.
“The Prince Charles ED has previously only functioned as a chest pain centre for patients on the northside,” he said.
“By next year, the redeveloped ED will have the facilities, equipment and staff to operate as a general ED in its own right, yet still specialise in treating chest and heart conditions.
“Staff will increase as the ED gradually becomes fully functional next year.”
Mr Robertson said the new facilities were yet another example of the Beattie Government’s commitment to improving health services for Queenslanders.
“The Prince Charles redevelopment will continue to expand services over the next 18 months,” he said.
“Later this month, a general surgery ward will commence in the same building as the ED, ICU and general medicine ward.
“By the end of this year, we expect to have expanded radiology, pharmacy, allied health departments as well as a refurbished central sterilising unit and transit lounge.
“The final stage, to be completed next year, will include refurbished cardiac theatres and pathology department, expanded recovery areas and outpatients clinics, new hospital wards and a new renal dialysis unit.”
15 February, 2007
Further inquiries:
Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Health Minister’s Office: 3234 1185
Mr Beattie joined Health Minister Stephen Robertson to officially open the new General Medicine Ward and inspect progress on the hospital redevelopment at Chermside.
He said 10 hospital beds had already opened in the ward with the remaining 20 and another 10-bed short stay unit to come on line next month.
“The new General Medicine Ward is the first step in a massive bed opening program at the Prince Charles Hospital,” Mr Beattie said.
“In the same building upstairs, a new intensive care unit is being fitted out to commence next month, complete with 27 intensive care beds.
“By the end of the redevelopment next year, the Prince Charles Hospital will have increased its bed capacity by over 140 beds, allowing it treat thousands more patients every year.”
Mr Beattie said the new building also features a new emergency department which will open initially as a chest pain centre next Wednesday (February 21) and gradually expand into a full-scale ED during the next 12 to 18 months, relieving pressure on other hospitals.
“The Prince Charles ED has previously only functioned as a chest pain centre for patients on the northside,” he said.
“By next year, the redeveloped ED will have the facilities, equipment and staff to operate as a general ED in its own right, yet still specialise in treating chest and heart conditions.
“Staff will increase as the ED gradually becomes fully functional next year.”
Mr Robertson said the new facilities were yet another example of the Beattie Government’s commitment to improving health services for Queenslanders.
“The Prince Charles redevelopment will continue to expand services over the next 18 months,” he said.
“Later this month, a general surgery ward will commence in the same building as the ED, ICU and general medicine ward.
“By the end of this year, we expect to have expanded radiology, pharmacy, allied health departments as well as a refurbished central sterilising unit and transit lounge.
“The final stage, to be completed next year, will include refurbished cardiac theatres and pathology department, expanded recovery areas and outpatients clinics, new hospital wards and a new renal dialysis unit.”
15 February, 2007
Further inquiries:
Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
Health Minister’s Office: 3234 1185