More hospital beds at Robina Hospital

The Gold Coast is one step closer to receiving more hospital beds following the appointment of the managing contractor for the $287.7 million project to further expand Robina Hospital.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson has announced Baulderstone Hornibrook Queensland Pty Ltd was selected from four applicants to work with Queensland Health and deliver the hospital expansion.

“The expansion will deliver an additional 179 beds to increase capacity and improve patient services for the Gold Coast region,” Mr Roberston said.

Mr Robertson said the Queensland Government had committed an additional $47 million to the original project, to expand and improve existing infrastructure to support the additional beds.

“Robina Hospital will gain two additional operating theatres as well as upgrades to medical imaging, pharmacy, pathology and catering services,” he said.

“This expansion is clear evidence the Queensland Government is putting its plan for improving Gold Coast health services into action,” he said.

Mr Robertson said it was vital that health services had the capacity to treat as many patients as possible throughout the state and the Robina Hospital development was a key step in achieving this goal.

Attracting and retaining the staff who will care for the patients in the additional 179 beds is a key element of our workforce planning.

“We have been consulting with staff from both the Robina Hospital and Gold Coast Health Services District to ensure we provide the right mix of services for the area,” Mr Robertson said.

Early works are due to start later this month with the additional beds scheduled to open in 2011.

The whole project is due for completion by mid-2012.

Mr Robertson said the hospital development would also include a strong education and training presence within the facility.

“We have been working closely with our education partners, particularly Bond University, to ensure that the education of our future health providers can be undertaken closer to where they live,” Mr Robertson said.

The expansion announced today is the second and third stage of an ongoing commitment to the Gold Coast following the completion of Robina Hospital’s $40 million stage one expansion in September 2007.

Stage One, which delivered an initial 26 beds, comprised a new Emergency Department, Intensive Care/Coronary Care Unit, expanded renal services and increased pathology, medical imaging, pharmacy and medical records.

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health was committed to ensuring that the Gold Coast had the services and resources necessary to meet the health needs of a growing population.

“Expanding health services is a priority to ensure the current and future residents of the Gold Coast have access to sustainable health services,” he said.

The schematic designs for the expansion are due to be released for community consultation in November.

ENDS.

Media: Kate Van Poelgeest 3234 1185 or 0458 449 267.