CONTRACT AWARDED FOR NEXT STAGE OF ROCKY HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT
Published Monday, 25 February, 2008 at 04:18 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Local builder J.M. Kelly (Project Builders) Pty Ltd has been awarded a $49.4 million contract for the next stage of the $74 million redevelopment of the Rockhampton Base Hospital, Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten and Health Minister Stephen Robertson announced today.
Mr Schwarten said the project would include a new emergency department with more than double the capacity; a new rehabilitation, learning and development building; a four-level extension to the clinical services building; and refurbishment of the existing clinical services building.
He said an additional 30 general medical beds will also be added and the hospital’s maternity, paediatrics, renal dialysis and rehabilitation units will be refurbished.
“This project will result in improved observation and treatment of patients, and a better work environment for staff,” Mr Schwarten said.
“It will also assist in recruiting and retaining more emergency department clinicians.”
“I’m delighted a local builder has been the successful tenderer as it means more local jobs for Rockhampton workers.
“Work is expected to start by the end of the month and be completed in November 2010,” he said.
“J.M Kelly are currently finalising work on the $8.4 million staff accommodation at the hospital.
“It was also responsible for the replacement and relocation of the hospital’s blood bank building at a cost of $1.8 million and the construction of the new oral health building.”
Mr Robertson said work would start this month on the project with the emergency department due to be completed next year and other facilities ready by 2010.
“The redevelopment will significantly expand the emergency department, doubling its physical size to:
• increase bed numbers from nine cubicles to 18 cubicles;
• increase observation bays from four bays to six bays, including a
dedicated isolation cubicle which the hospital previously did not have;
• increase resuscitation bays from one bay to three bays; and
• create a new dedicated space for medical offices/administration.
“In addition to 30 additional general medical beds, the maternity, paediatrics, renal dialysis and rehabilitation units will be relocated and refurbished.
“There will also be a new staff training and development centre created by the expansion.”
Mr Robertson said the improvements would ensure the hospital continued to meet the growing needs of the local community and region.
“The State Government is working to improve the community’s access to quality health services in the area,” he said.
“The Rockhampton Hospital redevelopment is part of a greater plan to deliver improved services for Central Queensland.
“The hospital’s $7 million oral health facility upgrade opened last November and we are delivering more health projects in the region including:
• $22.6 million Yeppoon Hospital redevelopment with work to commence
soon;
• $14.75 million Gladstone Community, Mental and Oral Health upgrade,
which is nearing completion; and
• $1.5 million Moura Private Practice Clinic which will be complete
later this year.”
Media contact: Mr Schwarten’s office: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Mr Robertson’s office: Joshua Cooney on (07) 3234 1191
Mr Schwarten said the project would include a new emergency department with more than double the capacity; a new rehabilitation, learning and development building; a four-level extension to the clinical services building; and refurbishment of the existing clinical services building.
He said an additional 30 general medical beds will also be added and the hospital’s maternity, paediatrics, renal dialysis and rehabilitation units will be refurbished.
“This project will result in improved observation and treatment of patients, and a better work environment for staff,” Mr Schwarten said.
“It will also assist in recruiting and retaining more emergency department clinicians.”
“I’m delighted a local builder has been the successful tenderer as it means more local jobs for Rockhampton workers.
“Work is expected to start by the end of the month and be completed in November 2010,” he said.
“J.M Kelly are currently finalising work on the $8.4 million staff accommodation at the hospital.
“It was also responsible for the replacement and relocation of the hospital’s blood bank building at a cost of $1.8 million and the construction of the new oral health building.”
Mr Robertson said work would start this month on the project with the emergency department due to be completed next year and other facilities ready by 2010.
“The redevelopment will significantly expand the emergency department, doubling its physical size to:
• increase bed numbers from nine cubicles to 18 cubicles;
• increase observation bays from four bays to six bays, including a
dedicated isolation cubicle which the hospital previously did not have;
• increase resuscitation bays from one bay to three bays; and
• create a new dedicated space for medical offices/administration.
“In addition to 30 additional general medical beds, the maternity, paediatrics, renal dialysis and rehabilitation units will be relocated and refurbished.
“There will also be a new staff training and development centre created by the expansion.”
Mr Robertson said the improvements would ensure the hospital continued to meet the growing needs of the local community and region.
“The State Government is working to improve the community’s access to quality health services in the area,” he said.
“The Rockhampton Hospital redevelopment is part of a greater plan to deliver improved services for Central Queensland.
“The hospital’s $7 million oral health facility upgrade opened last November and we are delivering more health projects in the region including:
• $22.6 million Yeppoon Hospital redevelopment with work to commence
soon;
• $14.75 million Gladstone Community, Mental and Oral Health upgrade,
which is nearing completion; and
• $1.5 million Moura Private Practice Clinic which will be complete
later this year.”
Media contact: Mr Schwarten’s office: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Mr Robertson’s office: Joshua Cooney on (07) 3234 1191