Milestone for Manning Hospital Emergency Department

18 May 2007

Hunter New England Health Chief Executive, Mr Terry Clout today invited tenders from construction firms to build the $15.2 million Manning Hospital Emergency Department.

Mr Clout said the call for tenders was an important milestone in the Emergency Department redevelopment, which will provide enhanced health services for patients, staff and visitors in the Taree community.

“The Manning Hospital Emergency Department is a significant capital works project to improve services for local people,” Mr Clout said.

“The completed project will provide the community with a modern, spacious Emergency Department that will assist in attracting skilled staff to the area.”

The facility will greatly improve the flow of patients through the Emergency Department and will include:
• A paediatric area
• Improved privacy for patients
• An extra 13 treatment spaces
• Staff facilities for teaching
• Mental health interview and treatment areas
• An isolation room
• Ambulatory care consultation rooms for people with less serious illnesses or injuries

Mr Clout said the Emergency Department at Manning Hospital currently provides treatment to a significant portion of the Hunter New England Health region.

“The dedicated staff at Manning Hospital Emergency Department treat more than 22,000 people each year.

“This new Emergency Department will allow them to continue to provide this excellent service in an improved, modern and functional environment which will greatly benefit their patients.”

Mr Clout said tenders for the project would close in five weeks and the new Emergency Department is expected to be operational in August 2008.

Contact: Lauren Chiplin

Phone: 4921 4924