Tingha Multi Purpose Service ready for action

The new Tingha Multi Purpose Service (MPS) building was officially handed over to Hunter New England Health this week by contracted builders, Hansen Yunkens, which means it’s now full steam ahead for the big move next week.

Tingha Health Service Manager Peter Norman said now that they have possession of the building it will be cleaned and have additional fittings and fixtures added, so they can start moving furniture, equipment and paperwork this week.

"We want as much of this as possible to be completed before the Community Walk-Through on Saturday 7 June. People are being invited to drop in any time during the morning for a preview of the building before residents and patients are transferred across next Thursday.

"As part of the Walk-Through, staff will be available to show people parts of the building which will be off-limits as soon as the MPS becomes operational. So it’s a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in seeing our kitchens, offices, bathrooms and the like," Mr Norman said.

Thursday 12 June is the big move-in date.

"Patients, equipment and clinical records will all be moved in one day, mostly by a local removalist company, but with support from staff and maintenance crews with Hunter New England Health.

"We are very grateful to the members of the Tingha United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) who will provide support to our aged care residents on the day, as well as supply drinks and meals for workers," he said.

On the Saturday following the move, the Tingha UHA will operate a gigantic sale of unwanted excess hospital furniture and equipment. Mr Norman said some items will be priced and others to be auctioned on the day.

Items to be sold include old furnishings and electrical items, such as TVs, fridges, fan, air coolers, lounge and kitchen chairs, shelving and cupboards, and lots of other bits and pieces, including a Polaroid camera.

Mr Norman said all historical items will be retained and displayed in the new MPS.

Proceeds from the sale will be put into the UHA’s special purpose trust account to assist with the purchase of additional furnishings and equipment for the new MPS.

Mr Norman said the UHA has a wonderful reputation for putting in many hours of hard work to benefit the health service. He said one of their purchases this year was a new hospital barbecue, which will be put to good use on the moving-in day.

The Garage Sale/Auction may be the last opportunity for people to be able to see both the old and the new health service facilities standing side by side, as demolition of the old buildings is due to start on Tuesday 17 June, and is expected to take a few weeks.