20 January 2009

Building works at Bathurst Hospital and Heritage Building

NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, said today improvement works at Bathurst Base Hospital were on track to be completed by the end of March this year.

“I’m very pleased to hear first-hand about all the work that has been going on at the hospital,” the Minister said.

As part of the improvements:

• Works in theatres one and two have begun;
• Work is now well underway in Maternity;
• Work has been completed for the Emergency Department Triage Bay with more work expected to begin on the Resuscitation Bay towards the end this month;
• Rectification work to the Paediatric Clinic administration area has been completed; and
• Changes for a consultation office are expected to be completed by the end of this month.

“It can’t have been easy, but the clinicians and staff have been working exceptionally hard to maintain all the health services in a challenging environment,” the Minister said.

“The improvement works are a result of the informed and professional feedback from clinicians and staff who work in these areas.

“The works have been carefully staged to allow minimal disruption to the health service and patients.

“It’s expected all improvement work inside the hospital will be completed by the end of March 2009.

“Construction of the new hydrotherapy pool is now complete with the final touches being applied - the pool will open on 27 January for physiotherapy classes and orientation training for external patients,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“We are also delivering on our commitment to undertake work on the Heritage Building which dates from the 1890s.

“As soon as bricks to match the existing building are available, work will begin on the old operating theatre to reinstate the walls and roof.

The current goal is to stabilise the building in heritage terms. This will mean that it is secure and weatherproof. The next step is to develop a plan to structurally improve the building, to meet modern building standards,” the Minister said.

“NSW Health Infrastructure has prepared tender documents for consultants to progress this next step,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“Work has also been undertaken, in conjunction with Greater Western Area Health Service, to determine which services will occupy the Heritage Building once the refurbishment works are completed.”

“It is expected the consultancy tender will be awarded towards the end of next month,” he added.

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