Latest stage of Maitland Hospital ED redevelopment opens

3 June 2010

The latest stage of the $10 million Maitland Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment has opened to the public.

It includes new Emergency Department reception, triage and waiting area, as well as some new clinical areas.

A new permanent ambulance entry and the ED staff administration area have also come into use.

The Maitland Hospital’s Acting General Manager Karen Kelly said the overall project is on track for completion toward the end of this year.

“Once completed, patients, visitors and staff will see a new, larger, modern Emergency Department that is nearly double the size of the existing ED,” Ms Kelly said.

“Maitland and the Lower Hunter are growing rapidly and the new emergency department will help meet the acute health needs of the local community and surrounding region into the future,” she said.

To date the project has also delivered:

• a new main entry, foyer and admissions area
• new ambulance bays and emergency entry driveway
• new pedestrian access to the hospital’s main entry, and
• new patient and visitor drop-off zones.

Work has now started on the final stages of the redevelopment, which will be within the ED itself. These will include new consultation rooms, dedicated paediatric treatment spaces, new staff stations, acute treatment bays and observation bays, and store areas.

Ms Kelly said parts of the hospital would remain a construction zone with builders and materials coming and going from the site.

“There will still be some noise, disruption and inconvenience, and there may at times be increased traffic congestion and delays, especially as heavy vehicles load or offload equipment and materials at the front of the hospital.

“We are asking the people of Maitland and the surrounding areas for their continued patience and support as we work through these last stages.”
 

Contact: Frances Holz

Phone: 4939 2216