HEALTH MINISTER TURNS FIRST SOD ON BUNDABERG HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT

Health Minister Stephen Robertson turned the first sod today on the second stage of the $41.1 million Bundaberg Hospital redevelopment project.

Mr Robertson was in Bundaberg to announce the appointment of a managing contractor who in partnership with Queensland Health would deliver the hospital redevelopment to expand local health services.

“This is the exciting first step in a major project that will revitalise the Bundaberg Hospital for years to come,” Mr Robertson said.

“It will provide Bundaberg Hospital with more beds, increased capacity and improved patient services.

“In total the expansion will deliver an additional 20 bed medical ward, a new maternity unit and new emergency department.

“The hospital’s rehabilitation and allied health services will also be expanded as a part of the redevelopment,” he said.

“Today we are delivering on the Bligh Government’s 2006 election commitment to redevelop Bundaberg Hospital to ensure it has the services and resources necessary to meet the health needs of a growing and ageing population.

Mr Robertson also announced a $1 million funding package for Bundaberg Hospital’s Home Based Care program.

“The program will enhance and increase home-based acute care services and provide increased capacity in the Hospital, whilst also providing high quality health care that will place Queensland in a strong position to combat the tsunami of chronic disease we are currently facing,” he said.

“This Government is committed to developing whole-of-health care solutions dedicated to managing Queensland’s rapidly growing and ageing population.

Mr Robertson said after a competitive tender process, Northbuild Construction had been appointed as managing contractor to deliver the final stages of the Hospital redevelopment, in partnership with Queensland Health.

Stage one of the hospital expansion, successfully completed in June, included an extension to the existing emergency department to provide six additional observation beds for patients.

“The hospital has already benefited from the extra emergency beds which have assisted with increased demand over the busy winter period,” Mr Robertson said.

“This next stage of the redevelopment will involve construction of a new maternity unit and special care nursery on the first floor of the new two-storey building, with the new Emergency Department to be located on the ground floor.

“We expect construction to be completed by the first half of 2010.”

Mr Robertson said there had been extensive consultation with key stakeholders throughout the design phase, with consultation set to continue as construction progressed.

“The Bligh Government is committed to delivering Queenslanders the best possible health services, no matter where they live,” he said.

“This redevelopment is about ensuring we have the capacity to treat as many patients as possible in the Bundaberg region, where demand for health services continues to grow.

“Expanding health services is a key priority of the Bligh Government and this redevelopment puts us on track to ensuring locals have access to sustainable health services, now and for the future,” Mr Robertson said.

ENDS

MEDIA: Kate Van Poelgeest 0458 449 267