28 January 2010

Work on the new Narrabri District Health Service is picking up pace, with builders Richard Crookes Construction moving on site this week.

“This is an exciting time for our staff and also for the people of Narrabri and district because we’re starting to see the site sheds arriving and construction fencing going up,” Health Service Manager of Narrabri District Health Service Sharon Simpson said.

“It is tangible evidence of what we’ve been working towards during the planning and consultation stages of the new hospital.”

The next few weeks will see the builders continue with construction fencing and hoarding for stage one of the redevelopment.

“The focus of stage one is the creation of the new Emergency Department entrance on the opposite side of the building to where the current entrance is,” Ms Simpson said.

“There will also be the provision of a temporary car park.

“This work will require some changes to the way visitors, Ambulance personnel and our staff negotiate the travel pathways for pedestrians, vehicles and emergency traffic,” she said.

Signs will be erected to direct pedestrians and vehicles.

In order to create the new entry for the Emergency Department, work will begin in the area of the Radiology fire exit.

“This means patients requiring admission will need to come through the administration building instead of going to the radiology waiting room,” Ms Simpson said.

“If you are visiting the hospital and have any difficulty, please ask a member of staff to help direct you.

“We would like to thank the people of Narrabri for their support during the construction process and ask for their understanding and patience with changes occurring during this time,” she said.

The $41.7 million project is a partnership between the Commonwealth and the NSW Government and is expected to be completed by early 2012.

(Ref: HNE-2148)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135