NEW HOSPITAL ON TRACK TO DELIVER ENHANCED SERVICES FOR INGHAM
Published Sunday, 25 May, 2008 at 12:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
INGHAM: Ingham residents are on track to receive a range of enhanced acute care and specialist health services as part of a $45 million redevelopment of Ingham Hospital.
Premier Anna Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson, in Ingham today for the Government’s Community Cabinet meeting, inspected the site where a new hospital will be built and overlooked the recently completed staff accommodation block.
“This redevelopment is another example of how my Government is improving health services in regional Queensland and planning for the future,” said the Premier.
“The new 32 bed Ingham Hospital will be well equipped to service the region’s growing population.
“It will house a new Emergency Department and a clinical operating suite so more patients can receive high level care close to home.
“The Ingham Health Service covers almost 3,000 square kilometres and services more than 15,000 people.
“The new hospital means local families will have a state-of-the-art facility that will provide improved, high quality health care services into the future,” she said.
Mr Robertson said Watpac had recently won the tender for the next stages of construction; with the entire project on track to be completed in early 2010.
“Stage one of the project – the new staff accommodation unit – was completed in September last year,” he said.
“The facility, which accommodates 12 people, includes three single-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units, including one with disability access, and a three bedroom unit.
“The entire building is now occupied by staff and both the Premier and I are very proud of the quality of this facility.
“It’s an important part of our continuing commitment to attract and retain quality health staff to our rural communities,” he said.
Stage one of the project also delivered temporary accommodation for community health services as well as a temporary two chair dental clinic.
Ms Bligh the new hospital will be built as stage two of the redevelopment project.
“The new hospital will provide acute care services for medical and aged care patients as well as some general surgery,” she said.
“It will also include an outpatient clinic which gives patients access to minor surgical procedures and immunisations, pathology services, ultrasounds and radiography services.
“Outreach services in Respiratory Medicine, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Paediatrics, Surgery and Endoscopy will also be provided in the new facility.
“We’ll also include a new 2 chair dental clinic in the hospital.
“Site works began in March and I expect the new facility will be completed by early 2010.”
“Once the new building is occupied the old hospital will be demolished and a medical centre and additional car parking will be constructed in its place.
“We’ll be fitting out the medical centre for future use for other purposes to ensure the whole redevelopment is equipped for the changing demand in health services,” she said.
Mr Robertson said Ingham’s hardworking doctors and nurses were looking forward to treating patients in the more modern facility.
“This project is yet another demonstration of our Government’s commitment to building first-class health infrastructure for a growing and ageing population with increasing rates of chronic disease,” he said.
“We’re spending $1.6 million every hour of every day to build and rebuild our infrastructure and the new Ingham hospital shows how hard we are working to secure Queensland’s future,” said the Minister.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office 3234 1190
Premier Anna Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson, in Ingham today for the Government’s Community Cabinet meeting, inspected the site where a new hospital will be built and overlooked the recently completed staff accommodation block.
“This redevelopment is another example of how my Government is improving health services in regional Queensland and planning for the future,” said the Premier.
“The new 32 bed Ingham Hospital will be well equipped to service the region’s growing population.
“It will house a new Emergency Department and a clinical operating suite so more patients can receive high level care close to home.
“The Ingham Health Service covers almost 3,000 square kilometres and services more than 15,000 people.
“The new hospital means local families will have a state-of-the-art facility that will provide improved, high quality health care services into the future,” she said.
Mr Robertson said Watpac had recently won the tender for the next stages of construction; with the entire project on track to be completed in early 2010.
“Stage one of the project – the new staff accommodation unit – was completed in September last year,” he said.
“The facility, which accommodates 12 people, includes three single-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units, including one with disability access, and a three bedroom unit.
“The entire building is now occupied by staff and both the Premier and I are very proud of the quality of this facility.
“It’s an important part of our continuing commitment to attract and retain quality health staff to our rural communities,” he said.
Stage one of the project also delivered temporary accommodation for community health services as well as a temporary two chair dental clinic.
Ms Bligh the new hospital will be built as stage two of the redevelopment project.
“The new hospital will provide acute care services for medical and aged care patients as well as some general surgery,” she said.
“It will also include an outpatient clinic which gives patients access to minor surgical procedures and immunisations, pathology services, ultrasounds and radiography services.
“Outreach services in Respiratory Medicine, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Paediatrics, Surgery and Endoscopy will also be provided in the new facility.
“We’ll also include a new 2 chair dental clinic in the hospital.
“Site works began in March and I expect the new facility will be completed by early 2010.”
“Once the new building is occupied the old hospital will be demolished and a medical centre and additional car parking will be constructed in its place.
“We’ll be fitting out the medical centre for future use for other purposes to ensure the whole redevelopment is equipped for the changing demand in health services,” she said.
Mr Robertson said Ingham’s hardworking doctors and nurses were looking forward to treating patients in the more modern facility.
“This project is yet another demonstration of our Government’s commitment to building first-class health infrastructure for a growing and ageing population with increasing rates of chronic disease,” he said.
“We’re spending $1.6 million every hour of every day to build and rebuild our infrastructure and the new Ingham hospital shows how hard we are working to secure Queensland’s future,” said the Minister.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office 3234 1190