14 December 2007

New emergency department on track for Manning Hospital

Redevelopment of Manning Hospital’s emergency department is on track with initial demolition well underway.
NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said Lahey Construction Pty Ltd had been awarded the contract for the $13.2 million redevelopment.
“The redevelopment of Manning Hospital’s emergency department is great news for the people of Taree and the surrounding area,” Ms Meagher said.
“Staff at Manning Hospital’s emergency department treat more than 22,000 patients each year – and that number is continuing to increase.
“Staff have continued to provide excellent treatment and maintain good performance despite the increasing demand. This new emergency department will provide a modern, spacious environment that will benefit patients and staff.”
Ms Meagher said hospital staff, ambulance officers and members of the community were heavily involved in the planning for the new emergency department, which will be three times the size of the existing unit.
The new emergency department will include:
• A dedicated paediatric area
• 13 additional treatment spaces
• Mental health interview and treatment areas
• An isolation room
• Ambulatory care consultation rooms for people with less serious illness or injuries
• Improved privacy for patients
• Teaching facilities for staff
• A larger and more patient-focussed waiting area.
“While this major redevelopment is underway, we are continuing to invest in improving health services at Manning Hospital,” Ms Meagher said.
“We have upgraded a range of equipment including monitoring, resuscitation and ventilation equipment which will be utilised in the existing emergency department and then transferred across to the new unit.”
Ms Meagher said the new emergency department should be operational by August 2008.
Work to refurbish the existing emergency department to accommodate the hospital’s medical records unit and emergency department administration will follow and is expected to be completed in January 2009.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au