Next stage begins for Maitland hospital redevelopment
9 September 2009
Work is continuing apace on the $10 million redevelopment of The Maitland Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Workers have already started extending and rebuilding the hospital’s front entrance and admissions area.
Acting General Manager Karen Kelly said the project was on schedule for completion towards the end of 2010.
The old covered pedestrian walkway into the hospital has already been demolished and workers have started erecting the framework for what will be the new front section.
“The entry area is also being extended on its southern side and work is well advanced on the foundations and flooring for this new section,” Ms Kelly said.
“New temporary ambulance bays have already been built.
“The way people access the front entrance and emergency department will change several times over the course of construction, particularly in these early stages.
“The second of these temporary access paths is now in place and takes people along the southern side of the new ambulance bays.
“We urge people to take care as they access the hospital and particularly not to use the ambulance bay driveway as a shortcut as this poses a safety risk.
“We are also asking people attending the hospital for their continued patience and support as we work through each building stage. As the area continues to be a construction zone, some noise, disruption and inconvenience is inevitable.
“When complete, the new Emergency Department will be nearly double the physical size of the existing department and will help meet the acute health needs of the growing Maitland community and surrounding areas,” Ms Kelly said.
‘It will provide extra treatment spaces including acute treatment and resuscitation areas, dedicated paediatric treatment spaces, spaces for mental health patients, and a decontamination area.”
The current stage of building works is expected to be completed by the end of October and will include a new front entry foyer, new waiting and admissions and reception area.
Stage 2 will include construction of new Emergency Department reception and triage, waiting and clinical areas.
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216