News

Hospital work on target

Jul 31, 2014

Construction crews have achieved two more key milestones in the biggest expansion project ever undertaken by the Mildura Base Hospital.

Work is concentrating on three upgrading projects at the hospital as part of a $7 million redevelopment of the Mental Health, Obstetrics and Emergency Departments. In addition, crews have started construction on a separate project to provide accommodation for clinicians and students in Thirteenth Street.

The Commonwealth and State Government-funded projects are valued at $16 million and represent the biggest upgrade of hospital services since it opened in 2000.

"It's satisfying when the works all begin coming together and next week we will meet the first of the mini-milestones for the hospital upgrades," said MBH General Manager, Resources and Facilities Don Palazzo.

"The first stage of the Mental Health Department upgrade is finished with staff enjoying the new space. It's by far the major aspect of that particular development, encompassing all of the major administrative areas, offices and assessment areas," he said.

"The reception, medical records and training room upgrade will be completed in Stage Two, and we expect that work to be finished in early September."

Completion of Stage One of the much-anticipated expansion of the Obstetrics Department is scheduled to follow soon after. The three new birthing suites, assessment rooms and offices are due to be finished at the end of August.

Stage Two of the Obstetrics project will upgrade another of the existing birthing suites and storage areas by mid-November.

Mr Palazzo said the most visible of the projects, the upgrade of the Emergency Department, was on target to have Stage One finished early in September.

"That project has involved a new patient waiting area, patient isolations and treatment rooms, new office space and reception area, with the new short-stay unit to be completed during the second stage," Mr Palazzo said.

"People might have noticed the re-positioning of the ambulance canopy at the weekend. That's an indicator that this stage of work is in its final stages."

Mr Palazzo reminded visitors to the hospital that the entry point to Accident and Emergency was still through the temporary access that had been in place since late last year. He urged people to continue to refer to signage to direct them around the hospital. Parking will continue to be tight with construction crews still busy, and Mr Palazzo said visitors should take advantage of the ample parking available opposite the hospital, across Ontario Avenue.

"People have been fantastic in their co-operation with the little inconveniences there have been through these projects – the good news is that we are on-track to have all the work finished, on schedule, before Christmas."

In Thirteenth Street, near the old Mildura Base Hospital site, crews also marked a major milestone in the past week on construction of the $9 million accommodation project. The complex will provide an accommodation facility for clinicians and students relocating or on placement in Mildura.

"The slab has been laid and framing is well underway. We expect that project to be finished towards the end of February," Mr Palazzo said.