Construction is finally underway on the $60 million Inverell Hospital redevelopment project at Hunter New England in New South Wales, with the first sod already turned to signal the beginning of works on Stage 1 of the development.
“This is so exciting for the community to actually start the construction.
“It has been at times a tough battle, but gosh it’s been worth it to get to this point,” Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said.
In July of this year, Richard Crookes Constructions was awarded the contract to deliver Stage 1 of the project - which is worth $30 million.
Mr Marshall said on a previous statement: “I’m absolutely delighted that this company has won the contract, because they have a very strong track record of delivering health projects in country NSW and in this region.”
The upgraded Inverell Hospital will feature:
- Emergency Department including emergency care for children and mental health-related presentations and victims of sexual assault
- Inpatient Unit including Paediatric facilities, Maternity and birthing facilities, General adult services - including palliative care
- Medical imaging department which will include an identified future expansion zone
- Two new Operating Theatres
- New Central Sterilising Unit
- New Day Surgery Unit (increased from one to six spaces)
- Increased capacity for renal dialysis from two to eight chairs
- New main entry and admissions area
- Mortuary
- New GP and dental clinics
- New staff accommodation
- Allied and community health facilities including aged care resources, physiotherapy, oncology and disability services
- Parking and landscaping
“The building will be fantastic because we’ll be able to provide services within a contemporary environment.
“That’s great for the patients, it’s great for our staff. It means more efficiencies. It means that what we provide here will be in a purpose built facility,” Hunter New England Health Rural and Regional Health Services executive director Susan Heyman said.
Heavy equipment have already been deployed to the project site to begin rock drilling and earthworks.
Demolition works on the existing hospital will commence in the coming weeks. A temporary entrance road from Moore Street is also going to be built which will allow workers to change the site fencing while, at the same time, maintaining hospital access for staff and patients.
“Demolition should be done by the end of the month, and then we’re into the bulk excavation side of things,” Richard Crookes Constructions senior project manager Jason Gollan said.
Tenders for Stage 2 of the Inverell Hospital redevelopment is expected to go out publicly by Christmas time this year.
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Source: The Inverell Times (1, 2, 3); NSW Government
