Published Thursday, 07 August, 2008 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
CAIRNS HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION ON-TRACK
The $450 million Cairns Hospital redevelopment is on track with work to begin as early as October, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
The Premier said she had made the redevelopment of Cairns Base Hospital a priority and the Government has progressed a firm schedule to have the project finalised as quickly as possible.
Ms Bligh said tenders in the first stage of the project – the development of a major new car park – were currently being awarded, with the acquisition of the site across Lake St due for completion this month.
“We will begin construction in October, starting with the demolition of buildings on the car park site. Ms Bligh said.
“We aim to have the new car park completed by January 2010, and I have every confidence we can achieve this timeframe.
Ms Bligh said construction of the new building (Block D) and relocation of services from the Stage 2 site are scheduled to begin in February 2010.
“The Cairns community has been right behind this development, and we will ensure the community continues to have a say in the hospital redevelopment, by establishing a Stakeholder Reference Group with broad representation.
“We want to get the Group up and running by September and Queensland Health soon will seek expressions of interest from stakeholders and the general community.
“The redevelopment of Cairns Hospital by my Government is pivotal in our planning for world-class health care to North Queenslanders.
The redeveloped Hospital will provide vastly enhanced health services, including:
• additional cardiac care facilities and a full day surgery unit
• a new home for specialist clinics and pathology services
• an integrated mental health unit will provide additional beds for patients needing longer term care
• a comprehensive cancer care unit will be built along with a new radiation oncology service
“The Stakeholder Reference Group will help ensure that we get right the vital planning, such as the new radiation oncology service,” Ms Bligh said.
A planned $11 million redevelopment of the Cairns Base Hospital Emergency Department will continue to be delivered and work is underway to acquire land for a new hospital site.
“We are serious about delivering world-class health services for North Queenslanders, and the people of Cairns will see these improvements very quickly with our prioritisation of this project,” Ms Bligh said.
“Local MPs have vigorously represented the health needs of North Queenslanders and have been instrumental in ensuring this project gets the attention it deserves,” she said.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500 Health Minister’s Office 3234 1187
The Premier said she had made the redevelopment of Cairns Base Hospital a priority and the Government has progressed a firm schedule to have the project finalised as quickly as possible.
Ms Bligh said tenders in the first stage of the project – the development of a major new car park – were currently being awarded, with the acquisition of the site across Lake St due for completion this month.
“We will begin construction in October, starting with the demolition of buildings on the car park site. Ms Bligh said.
“We aim to have the new car park completed by January 2010, and I have every confidence we can achieve this timeframe.
Ms Bligh said construction of the new building (Block D) and relocation of services from the Stage 2 site are scheduled to begin in February 2010.
“The Cairns community has been right behind this development, and we will ensure the community continues to have a say in the hospital redevelopment, by establishing a Stakeholder Reference Group with broad representation.
“We want to get the Group up and running by September and Queensland Health soon will seek expressions of interest from stakeholders and the general community.
“The redevelopment of Cairns Hospital by my Government is pivotal in our planning for world-class health care to North Queenslanders.
The redeveloped Hospital will provide vastly enhanced health services, including:
• additional cardiac care facilities and a full day surgery unit
• a new home for specialist clinics and pathology services
• an integrated mental health unit will provide additional beds for patients needing longer term care
• a comprehensive cancer care unit will be built along with a new radiation oncology service
“The Stakeholder Reference Group will help ensure that we get right the vital planning, such as the new radiation oncology service,” Ms Bligh said.
A planned $11 million redevelopment of the Cairns Base Hospital Emergency Department will continue to be delivered and work is underway to acquire land for a new hospital site.
“We are serious about delivering world-class health services for North Queenslanders, and the people of Cairns will see these improvements very quickly with our prioritisation of this project,” Ms Bligh said.
“Local MPs have vigorously represented the health needs of North Queenslanders and have been instrumental in ensuring this project gets the attention it deserves,” she said.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500 Health Minister’s Office 3234 1187