CAPITAL WORKS TO HELP IMPROVE HOSPITAL SERVICES

The 2005-06 Budget has provided funds for a number of capital works projects that will help improve services provided by our public hospitals into the future, the ACT Minister for Health, Simon Corbell, said today.

These projects include:
•	relocating medical records to free up space for clinical functions ($3,380,000);
•	a feasibility study to address the long-term strategic physical needs of The Canberra Hospital (TCH), including  an Ambulatory Care Centre and Hot Floor for acute services ($500,000);
•	a study to identify a site for the proposed relocation of the hospital’s Helipad and the possibility of a multi-storey car park ($310,000); and
•	fire safety upgrades at both TCH ($2.6 million) and Calvary ($1 million).

Mr Corbell said the medical records relocation project was an essential first stage of achieving the overall clinical refurbishment planned for The Canberra Hospital in its Draft Master Plan. 

“The Medical Records Department currently occupies prime clinical space,” he said.

“Its relocation, to be completed by June 2007, will provide much needed space for clinical functions, particularly a proposed Ambulatory Care Centre, to be co-located with the Emergency Department providing great improvements in the management of outpatients.

“Ambulatory services include same-day surgery and investigative procedures, overnight surgery where the patients stay in a recovery area until discharge, ambulatory treatments such as chemotherapy and dialysis and many diagnostic services.” 

Mr Corbell said a 2004 master planning study was commissioned to examine the future directions for the hospital. It had highlighted the need to create space for an Ambulatory Care Zone and a Hot Floor.

“The relocation of the helipad has been discussed for many years,” he said.

“The current helipad, which is used at least once a day, is on the upper deck of a two-storey building. It has caused some noise concerns for residents and is not ideal for the transportation of critically ill patients.

“However, before any decision is made on relocation, there will be wide consultation with stakeholders, particularly local residents.

“In relation to parking, the hospital’s 1,660 parking spaces have been found to be at capacity in recent years and the lack of available parking is a constant problem for patients, visitors and staff.

“This study will look into the feasibility of a multi-storey car park on the hospital campus.”

Mr Corbell said the fire safety upgrades would help reduce the risk of fire to the facilities.
Statement ends