NAMBOUR PROJECT TO DELIVER MORE HOSPITAL BEDS FOR SUNSHINE COAST

A new 96-bed ward block at Nambour General Hospital will deliver even more new hospital beds for the Sunshine Coast, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health had recently awarded Watpac a public tender as managing contractor of the $150 million ward block project.

“The new block will consist of a new 24-bed paediatric ward, two 24-bed general wards and a 24-bed respiratory ward,” he said.

“It will also accommodate a Specialist Outpatients Department, pre-admissions clinic, a 7-chair renal dialysis training, Antenatal and Paediatrics clinics and a relocated Special Care Baby Unit.

“Current forecasts indicate that construction of the new 96-bed ward block will commence next January and be completed early in 2011.

“Prior to this, a range of necessary preparatory works including demolition of the hospital’s existing Block 3 and construction of alternative road access will be undertaken in coming months.”

Mr Robertson said the project will effectively double the total number of extra beds the Bligh Government will deliver at Nambour Hospital by 2011.

“The Government went to the last election with a commitment to provide an additional 90 new beds for the Sunshine Coast by 2010.

“We’re delivering on that commitment with 30 extra beds coming on stream at Caloundra Hospital as part of its current $27 million redevelopment.

“A further 60 beds were promised at Nambour Hospital with the first 30 due to become operational later this year and the second 30 beds to be delivered by 2010.

“However, the new 96-bed ward block means we wil be able to deliver even more new beds at Nambour Hospital than we promised at the last election.

“The project means the government will be delivering 126 extra new beds at Nambour Hospital.

“That’s 66 more new beds than the election commitment.

“This honours our pledge to deliver more beds for this fast-growing region ahead of the 2014 opening of the new $1.21billion, 650-bed capacity Sunshine Coast Hospital at Kawana.

“And it’s another example of a government that is planning for the future and managing growth,” Mr Robertson said.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190