Ramsay Health Care Commences Work on New Private Hospital on Sunshine Coast University Hospital site
Published Thursday, 01 September, 2011 at 05:00 AM
Health
The Honourable Geoff Wilson
Work starts today to deliver more health services sooner and closer to home for Sunshine Coast locals.
Minister for Health Geoff Wilson today joined with Ramsay Health Care’s Queensland State Operations Manager Lloyd Hill in turning the first sod for the new private hospital at Kawana.
The sod turn marks the first stage in the development of a world class healthcare campus on the Sunshine Coast.
The new private hospital to be built and operated by Ramsay Health Care, will be collocated with the $2.03 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Mr Hill said that Ramsay Health Care was very excited to be starting construction today.
“We are delighted to be part of this project with Queensland Health,” Mr Hill said.
“This new hospital will not only bring much needed health services to one of the fastest growing regions of Australia but will also deliver great benefits to the local economy, bringing jobs and improved healthcare services to the Sunshine Coast.
“Over 250 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase and when it is opened, the hospital will employ over 600 staff from a range of disciplines including nursing and hospital administration.
“In addition it is expected that a further 100 jobs will be created in associated businesses supporting the private hospital on campus.
“The new $150 million private hospital will have an initial capacity of 200 beds, six operating theatres, a day surgery centre, a day chemotherapy unit and an 8 bed intensive care unit.
“The four storey facility will also include medical consulting suites, pathology and radiology services.”
Mr Wilson said public patients would benefit from the new services being delivered through a purchase arrangement with Queensland Health.
“This arrangement will deliver more services for public patients in the lead up to the opening of SCUH and reduce the number of people travelling to Brisbane for care,” he said.
“Under the agreement, the Private Hospital will provide up to 110 beds at a time for public patients while we get on with the job of building the $2 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
“This strategy will see more public hospital beds and services for Sunshine Coast residents sooner - ahead of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital opening in 2016.
“This arrangement will also help to reduce waiting times for elective procedures by taking pressure off Nambour General Hospital.
“The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital will also play an important role in attracting specialists and other clinical staff to the region.
“It will give both staff and patients more choice when it comes to Sunshine Coast health services.
“I congratulate Ramsay Health Care on their success in being awarded this important contract and we look forward very much to working closely with them to deliver more services, sooner and closer to home for the people of the Sunshine Coast.”
Ramsay’s design-build team comprises construction firm John Holland and architects Phillips Smith Conwell, with Akalan Projects as Project Manager.
All firms have significant experience in hospital development.
Akalan Project Director David Duffy said the construction workforce will comprise of subcontractors engaged to perform trade-based work packages.
“Suitable companies to perform these work packages will be sought from the Sunshine Coast and we expect to create a number of work opportunities for the local Sunshine Coast community,” Mr Duffy said.
ENDS
Media contact: Ministerial: Vivienne Hill 322 52475
Ramsay Health Care: Carmel Monaghan 0438 646 273
Minister for Health Geoff Wilson today joined with Ramsay Health Care’s Queensland State Operations Manager Lloyd Hill in turning the first sod for the new private hospital at Kawana.
The sod turn marks the first stage in the development of a world class healthcare campus on the Sunshine Coast.
The new private hospital to be built and operated by Ramsay Health Care, will be collocated with the $2.03 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Mr Hill said that Ramsay Health Care was very excited to be starting construction today.
“We are delighted to be part of this project with Queensland Health,” Mr Hill said.
“This new hospital will not only bring much needed health services to one of the fastest growing regions of Australia but will also deliver great benefits to the local economy, bringing jobs and improved healthcare services to the Sunshine Coast.
“Over 250 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase and when it is opened, the hospital will employ over 600 staff from a range of disciplines including nursing and hospital administration.
“In addition it is expected that a further 100 jobs will be created in associated businesses supporting the private hospital on campus.
“The new $150 million private hospital will have an initial capacity of 200 beds, six operating theatres, a day surgery centre, a day chemotherapy unit and an 8 bed intensive care unit.
“The four storey facility will also include medical consulting suites, pathology and radiology services.”
Mr Wilson said public patients would benefit from the new services being delivered through a purchase arrangement with Queensland Health.
“This arrangement will deliver more services for public patients in the lead up to the opening of SCUH and reduce the number of people travelling to Brisbane for care,” he said.
“Under the agreement, the Private Hospital will provide up to 110 beds at a time for public patients while we get on with the job of building the $2 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
“This strategy will see more public hospital beds and services for Sunshine Coast residents sooner - ahead of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital opening in 2016.
“This arrangement will also help to reduce waiting times for elective procedures by taking pressure off Nambour General Hospital.
“The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital will also play an important role in attracting specialists and other clinical staff to the region.
“It will give both staff and patients more choice when it comes to Sunshine Coast health services.
“I congratulate Ramsay Health Care on their success in being awarded this important contract and we look forward very much to working closely with them to deliver more services, sooner and closer to home for the people of the Sunshine Coast.”
Ramsay’s design-build team comprises construction firm John Holland and architects Phillips Smith Conwell, with Akalan Projects as Project Manager.
All firms have significant experience in hospital development.
Akalan Project Director David Duffy said the construction workforce will comprise of subcontractors engaged to perform trade-based work packages.
“Suitable companies to perform these work packages will be sought from the Sunshine Coast and we expect to create a number of work opportunities for the local Sunshine Coast community,” Mr Duffy said.
ENDS
Media contact: Ministerial: Vivienne Hill 322 52475
Ramsay Health Care: Carmel Monaghan 0438 646 273