14 July 2008

Minister celebrates demolition work to get new Narrabri Hospital underway

The nurses’ quarters at Narrabri Hospital has stood for the past 64 years – designed in 1944 when the hospital opened to provide a home away from home for nursing staff and help make the hospital more attractive as a place to work.

Today, the building starts making way for a new hospital to meet the needs of the local community well into the future.

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher joined hospital staff and community members as the old made way for the new, with the start of demolition work on the former nurses’ quarters.

“The demolition of the nurses’ quarters on the Narrabri Hospital site marks another significant milestone as we move closer to a new hospital for the local community,” Ms Meagher said.

“Building a new hospital on the same site as the existing hospital while the staff continue to deliver high quality health care is a significant and challenging undertaking.

“But the early works that are underway now, including the demolition of the nurses’ quarters, is a clear sign that the Iemma Government is delivering on its commitment to provide the people of Narrabri and the surrounding region with a state-of-the-art hospital.”

Early works undertaken at the Narrabri Hospital campus to date include:

• Erection of building fences along Gibbons Street
• Relocation of the electricity substation, engineering workshop and helipad
• Creation of a new access road off Gibbons Street
• Establishment of a new 48-space car park at the entrance of the hospital
• Demolition of the old stores building and Rotary Cottage
• New underground water and electrical services built.

Ms Meagher said the first stage of the development, which is being undertaken by Armidale-based National Buildplan Group, is on track to be completed before the end of the year.

“In the coming weeks there will be a lot of activity at the site, with the demolition of the old water tower and boiler house chimney, before the site is levelled so that the construction phase can get started,” Ms Meagher said.

“A key aspect of the 2008-09 health capital works budget is the allocation of $5.6 million to start construction of the new hospital early in the New Year and it will be exciting to see that get underway.”

The new facility will include:

• State-of-the-art accommodation for patients, including new wards, emergency department, birthing suite and an operating room
• Co-located and integrated Primary and Community Health services
• Co-located Ambulance station
• Consultation rooms for General Practitioners and visiting specialists.

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