Inverell Health Services Manager Kath Randall, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Inverell Shire Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael inspecting the new Inverell District Hospital building.
Tuesday, 12 May 2020
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today celebrated the largest milestone to date in the $60 million redevelopment of Inverell District Hospital, announcing the construction of the new state-of-the-art hospital building on Moore Street is now complete.
Mr Marshall said 20 months after the first sod was turned on the revolutionary project, tools were down and contractor Richard Crookes Construction has handed the new acute services building over to Hunter New England Local Health (HNEH).
“This is a momentous occasion for the people of Inverell who, after years of campaigning, are only two weeks away from being able to access health services from their brand new hospital,” Mr Marshall said.
“Before services from the old hospital are moved across, the final operational commissioning tests for the new facility will be undertaken.
“HNEH has planned a staged transition into the new facility, to minimise disruptions to patients and services.
“Over the next fortnight all acute services including Emergency, Medical Imaging, Renal Dialysis, Inpatient Unit, Maternity, Paediatrics, Day Surgery and an Operating Theatre, along with staff, will be relocated.
“It’s expected the new hospital will be ready to open to the public on Monday, 25 May 2020.”
Mr Marshall said Stage 2 of the redevelopment, the refurbishment of the old hospital building, will get underway shortly after the building is vacated and decommissioned.
“While Stage 1 is complete, really we are only at the half-way mark in this community transforming project, with everyone’s sights now set on the refurbishment of the existing hospital building to accommodate Community Health and ambulatory care services,” he said.
“In relation to the all-important and hard fought for Computed Tomography room (CT room) in the new hospital, it will be delivered in conjunction with the refurbishment.
“Inverell’s various Community Health services will remain in its current location (off Swanbrook Road), until the refurbishment of the existing hospital building is complete in 2021.”
Mr Marshall said the public won’t have to wait long before they can take a look inside the new hospital building.
“Unfortunately, due to restrictions in place to protect the health of patients and medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Inverell community will have to sit-tight until the new hospital building comes online before they take a look at what is on offer,” he said.
“In the interim, they can ‘get to know their new hospital online’, with a brochure, internal and external site maps and a video walk-through of the new hospital all available on the Inverell Hospital webpage at www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/Our-building-projects
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Richard Crookes Construction, Health Infrastructure, HNEH and the many local medical staff and community representatives who have pulled together over many years to make this dream come true.
“Not only has Inverell been delivered a top class, functional hospital which will service the needs of its residents for many years to come, but it now has a facility which will cement its position as a leader for rural and remote health.”
A video of aerial photography taken between October 2018 and March 2020 shows the incredible transformation of the site, as well as the huge change in seasons experienced over this timeframe.
The new Inverell Hospital includes the following services and improvements:
o Emergency Department including emergency care for children and mental health-related presentations
o 38-bed Inpatient Unit, including Paediatric facilities, Maternity and birthing facilities, and general adult services including palliative care
o An internal play area for children and/or their siblings
o A better birth experience with a state of the art birthing room
o Medical Imaging, including X-ray and OPG, with CT coming on-line at a later date
o Expanded Day Surgery spaces
o Increased capacity for renal dialysis
o A modern Operating Theatre (existing Operating Theatre to remain as required)
o Artwork and signage designed specifically for Inverell with community involvement
o Improved kiosk and waiting area at the main entrance
Internal vision of the new Inverell Hospital and a time-lapse of the building’s construction can be accessed through the below Dropbox links:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fqtyyfszj0aabuq/200423%20Inverell%20Aerials%20Video.mp4?d
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d12wd47ilqb50n3/200505_Inverell_Walkthrough_v2.mp4?dl=0