Premier marks major milestone on Children’s Hospital

Premier Anna Bligh has marked a major milestone for Queensland’s new world class $1.1 billion Children’s Hospital.

Premier Anna Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson attended the start of works on a vital 26 metre services tunnel under Raymond Terrace connecting the hospital site with an adjacent car park.

The services tunnel will be for services cabling to the new Queensland Children's Hospital such as gas, steam and electricity.

This first stage of works will also include the demolition of several existing buildings on the site and bulk earthworks to clear the construction site.

“Two years of intensive planning come to fruition today with this milestone at site of Queensland’s new Children’s Hospital,” said the Premier.

“This is the first step in the delivery of a state-of-the-art paediatric hub for Queensland. This world class hospital is becoming a reality and is on track to begin to open progressively by 2011.”

Ms Bligh said the project was also crucial to Queensland in the current economic climate, creating almost 6,900 full-time equivalent jobs during construction.

“After two years in the planning, it’s an historic day for health services and children’s health services in Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.

“It’s a true demonstration that my government is getting on with the job of providing the best paediatric care for this state’s children and young people.

“Ultimately, this facility will be one of the best children’s health precincts in the country and something all Queenslanders can be proud of.”

The Premier also released new artists impressions outlining the layout and structure of the new hospital.

Ms Bligh said the Children’s Hospital would include a main 10-level tower with additional space available for expansion, the six-level, 1500-space Hancock Street car park which is already under construction and plans for a research and education building connected by a walkway over Stanley Street.

“When this world class facility is fully operational in 2014 the hospital’s 359 beds will number 71 more than the current combined 288 beds in the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Children’s Public Hospital,” Ms Bligh said.

“This is also a crucial infrastructure project for the state, creating and supporting significant jobs through the construction phase.”

Mr Robertson said the QCH was designed to provide the best care for children and young people, combining the services and expertise of the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Children’s Hospital into a single, stand-alone facility.

“The hospital will incorporate the latest technology and innovation in hospital design, tailored to the needs of families, with a firm focus on design that reduces stress for families with sick children,” Mr Robertson said.

“As an example, the QCH will have several entertainment and therapeutic play areas, green spaces, dedicated basement parking for families, in-house accommodation for families with children in intensive care and most rooms with ensuites and beds for carers.

“Detailed schematic design will be completed in mid-2009 and is being shaped with input from health clinicians from across the State.

“It’s paramount that the design ensures the hospital meets the needs of children, their families and clinicians not only now but for future generations.

“More than 30 clinician teams are helping shape the QCH and ensure we are providing the very best health care.

“Queensland families and young people have also been actively involved in planning the service from the beginning to ensure QCH is a family-centred hospital.”

Mr Robertson said the QCH would be the hub of a state-wide paediatric network to become Queensland’s foremost paediatric training, education and research centre.

For further information the QCH project team can be contacted on the 24 hour community hotline 1800 285 839 or buildingqch@health.qld.gov.au.

Contact 07 32244500