Hunter New England Health Executive Director for Rural and Regional Health Services Susan Heyman, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Inverell Shire Deputy Mayor at the front of the refurbished and transformed 94-year-old former Inverell Hospital building, as part of Stage 2 of the overall $60 million redevelopment.
Friday, 16 April 2021.
AFTER six years of planning and construction the $60 million Inverell Hospital redevelopment is complete, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall this week joining Inverell Shire Council Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael and local medical staff to open the refurbished 94-year-old former hospital building, which has been transformed into the new Inverell Community Health centre.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to mark the building’s handover from contractor Richard Crookes Constructions to the local health district ahead of its first day of use by staff, patients and the community on Monday, 26 April.
Mr Marshall said the redevelopment had delivered Inverell a contemporary state-of-the-art primary and allied health precinct, able to cater for new models of health care delivery, and now all under the one roof.
“The refurbishment of the old Inverell Hospital has ensured its 60-year legacy of caring for the community continues for generations to come,” Mr Marshall said.
“Stage 2 of the overall hospital redevelopment included refurbishing the old hospital to allow the existing community health and ambulatory care services to be relocated from their former premises.
“The improved facility offers adult ambulatory care, including mental health services, women’s and children’s services, oral health, chronic disease treatment programs and allied health.
“As the old hospital is connected to the new hospital, this will consolidate all acute and community health services under one roof which is a great outcome for both medical staff and patients.
“This is the first time in Inverell’s’ history that all of its primary and allied health services are all together – in the one building, under the one roof – which will make things so much better for staff and patients.”
Mr Marshall announced the wider community would have an opportunity to inspect the facility, ahead of its first day of operation.
“With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the general public will have the chance to walk through the Community Health space and see the incredible work done internally to restore the historic building,” he said.
“Small group tours will be held on Tuesday, 20 April from 2pm. Bookings are essential and anyone wishing to attend needs to pre-register by completing the online form or calling Inverell Community Health on 02 6721 9600.”
COVID screening will be in place prior to entry, and a mask may be required to be worn during the tours.
The Community Health facility will be accessed from Swanbrook Road and car parking is available immediately next to the new facility.
The $60 million Inverell Hospital Redevelopment project covers both stage 1 and stage 2 and includes:
- New and expanded Emergency Department including emergency care for children, mental health-related presentations and victims of sexual assault
- New 38-bed Inpatient Unit including:
- Paediatric facilities
- Maternity and birthing facilities
- General adult services, including palliative care
- New Medical Imaging (X-ray) Department, with new CT scanner
- Two new Operating Theatres
- New Central Sterilising Unit
- New Day Surgery Unit (increase of 1 space to 6)
- Increased capacity for renal dialysis (increase of 2 chairs to 8)
- New main entry and admissions area
- New Mortuary
- New Dental Clinic
- Allied and community health facilities – including aged care resources, physiotherapy, oncology and disability services.
- Parking and landscaping
Mr Marshall also announced that the helipad, which had been out of action for the entirety of the redevelopment works, had been reinstated.
“This means that any aerial retrievals, either by Air Ambulance or the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, will occur at the hospital helipad, rather than Inverell Airport.
“This is very welcome news for the community.”