NAMBOUR HOSPITAL’S REDEVELOPMENT ON TRACK

Demolition work begins at Nambour Hospital today to make way for a new $150 million ward block.

Treasurer and acting Health Minister Andrew Fraser said once the old block three building is demolished, construction will start on the new 96 bed ward.

“Today is a milestone for health services at Nambour and on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Fraser said.

“With demolition underway, we are on track to start building in April.

“Once completed the new facility will include a paediatric ward, general wards and a respiratory ward.

“It will also house a specialist outpatient department, pre-admissions clinic, a renal dialysis training centre, antenatal and paediatric clinics and a special care baby unit.

“Expanded medical imaging, pharmacy, pathology, and other clinical support services will cater for the additional 96 beds.

“This is on top of the 30 additional beds and preliminary works for the new ward, completed last year, at a cost of $8.5 million,” Mr Fraser said.

The new ward block will be completed and ready for use by Sunshine Coast residents in late 2011.

During construction, pedestrian access between the multi-storey carpark and the hospital has been re-routed for safety purposes.

“The new route is clearly signed and all possible safety precautions put in place,” Mr Fraser said.

The new $2 million, 150-space car park at Nambour Hospital will improve visitor access to the hospital as it undergoes the major expansion.

“Planning is also well underway for the new $1.21 billion tertiary Sunshine Coast University Hospital, at Kawana.

“The new hospital will include, amongst other services, emergency medicine, expanded specialist surgical services, intensive care, cardiology and cancer services,” Mr Fraser said.

The Sunshine Coast University Hospital is due for completion at the end of 2014. The facility will initially have 450 overnight beds, with capacity to expand to 650 beds to cater for population growth and demand increases.

MEDIA CONTACT: Treasurer’s office – 3224 5982
Belinda Warren
Sunshine Coast-Wide Bay Health Service District
Ph: 5470.6616 or 0408 713 747