Officials stated that the first phase of the redevelopment, which is the construction of a new palliative care and the addition to the existing medical ward at the hospital, is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The addition is slated to include three ‘home style’ purpose-built rooms for the exclusive use of palliative care patients, to provide greater patient comfort and privacy.
Each room would have its own ensuite, private courtyard and fold-out sofa bed available for family or friends to stay overnight with their loved ones. A separate lounge room and a private meeting room would also be provided for use by patients and their visitors, who would have easy access to the new addition from car parks located nearby.
Liberal-National Government’s Royalties for Regions program had provided $15.8 million towards the redevelopment and is scheduled for completion in 2013. Cooper & Oxley was recently awarded the $2.7 million contract to build the new addition.
