Sunshine Coast University Hospital service commencement details announced

Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) is on track to see its first patients in March as part of the staged opening of the new $1.8B facility, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick announced today.

The announcement follows the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board’s endorsement this week of the Clinical Readiness Advisory Group’s recommendation to proceed with a staged opening.

The Minister said the Hospital’s first outpatient appointments are planned to commence from 21 March 2017. Inpatient services, the emergency department, operating theatres and maternity services are set to commence progressively in the week commencing 27 March, with elective surgery planned to start on 4 April 2017.

Pathology, radiology and pharmacy services are expected to commence from the week beginning 6 March 2017.

“Today is an important day for Sunshine Coast residents, who I know are excited about using this world-class facility,” Minister Dick said.

“This is the first new, not replacement, tertiary level hospital to be built in Australia in 20 years, giving Sunshine Coast residents access to the very best healthcare services.

“The new services the Hospital brings will make an enormous difference to the lives of patients and their families who will no longer have to travel away from home to access some types of treatment.

“The Hospital will also be an important employment and training hub for the region for many years to come, attracting and training the best clinicians.

“The Health Service and its Board has worked tirelessly on commissioning SCUH to ensure its first patient, and every patient that follows, receive the very best care.”

Chair of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board Dr Lorraine Ferguson AM said the progressive commencement of services is designed to maximise safety for patients and staff and is driven by the advice of senior clinicians.

“This exceptional facility will reshape health services on the Sunshine Coast,” Dr Ferguson said.

“Staging the commencement of services over a number of weeks will ensure a successful and safe commencement of services is achieved.

“The decision is based on a comprehensive process of readiness assessments covering all clinical and support services, and reports from external advisors including an Independent Commissioning Advisor.”

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) Chief Executive Kevin Hegarty said the commencement of services at SCUH was a huge milestone for the local community.

“After many years of planning and construction, we are now ready to witness the biggest transformation of health services on the Sunshine Coast ever,” Mr Hegarty said.

“Direct clinician input is a very important part of our assessment process that is not always a formal part of hospital commissioning. The commissioning of SCUH will benefit greatly from this as it absolutely supports our patient safety first commitment.”

A final confirmation of the service commencement schedule by the Board will occur on 28 February 2017, following a final recommendation by the Clinical Readiness Advisory Group.

The exact date for the opening of the emergency department and other inpatient services in the nominated week of 27 March 2017 will also be made at that time.

“We have an absolute focus on patient safety and that’s why this final clinical sign off is crucial to the commencement of services,” Mr Hegarty said.

Background

Clinical Readiness Advisory Group (CRAG):

The independent CRAG was established as an additional safety mechanism in preparing for service commencement at SCUH. CRAG provides a senior clinical voice to the Chief Executive and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board, ensuring checks are in place. The advice of CRAG as to whether SCUH is ready to open or not is provided unedited to the Board.

The establishment of clinical input into the hospital commissioning was a recommendation made by the review into the opening of the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.

SCUH:

When fully operational, SCUH will bring additional capacity and new services to the communities of the Sunshine Coast and Gympie. New services will include acute rehabilitation, inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, major trauma, spinal injuries.

ENDS

Minister’s Media contact:  Michelle Wellington | 0437 323 834

SCHHS Media contact: Sarah Clout | 0427 878 609