Design for Princess Alexandra Hospital emergency department revealed

Designs for Princess Alexandra Hospital’s emergency department expansion were unveiled by Health Minister Stephen Robertson today.

Mr Robertson revealed the schematic design of the $52 million expansion, which will see a major increase in emergency department capacity at PA Hospital.

“It will provide the hospital with 30 more emergency beds in a medical assessment and planning unit,” he said.

“This unit will ensure patients well enough to go home were discharged within 48 hours from the emergency department.

"The expansion will also increase PA Hospital emergency department facilities from 12 to 28 acute beds, four to eight sub acute beds, six to eight observation bays and four to five resuscitation bays.

“This investment is a sign of the Bligh Government’s commitment to managing growth and planning for the future.

“When we launched our Toward Q2 Tomorrow’s Queensland vision this month, we promised to deliver the shortest public hospital waiting times in Australia – and that includes emergency departments.

“We know that emergency departments across Queensland are facing massive demand pressures, with presentations outstripping population growth year on year.

“These expanded facilities at PA Hospital will put us on track to cut emergency department waiting times, giving Queenslanders access to the first class care they expect and deserve.”

Mr Robertson said the expanded emergency department would feature a ‘Fast Track’ area to reduce patient waiting times and a new emergency discharge area.

“This expansion will also include a state of the art helipad constructed on the roof of the PA Hospital with an express elevator to the emergency department,” he said.

“There will be more than 4100 square metres of brand new construction and more than 800 square metres of existing facilities upgraded.”

Mr Robertson said there would be extensive consultation with key stakeholders throughout the final planning phase, with consultation set to continue as construction progresses.

"The Bligh Government, through its Toward Q2 vision, is committed to making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people," he said.

"This expansion is about ensuring we have the capacity to treat as many patients as possible in Brisbane’s southeast corner, where demand for health services continues to grow.

"Expanding health services is a key priority of the Bligh Government and this emergency department expansion means locals will have access to sustainable health services, now and for the future.”

Mr Robertson said construction on PA Hospital’s expanded emergency department was expected to be completed by 2010.

MEDIA: Martin Philip 3225 2680 or 0407 675 008