Armidale Hospital opens refurbished emergency department
16 November 2010
Armidale Hospital’s refurbished emergency department will be officially unveiled on Friday (19 November).
The $140,000 refurbishment of the emergency department includes the expansion of the waiting room and triage assessment area, a new mental health safe assessment room, new public toilets and new staff facilities.
Armidale Emergency Department Acting Nurse Unit Manager Keren Fletcher said the upgrade will allow staff to deliver care to patients in a more comfortable and appropriate setting.
“Earlier this year we took a good look at the emergency department and the important services we provide,” Ms Fletcher said.
“We found that the emergency department needed some upgrades to allow our staff to provide the best possible care to patients.
“The expanded waiting room and new triage areas will benefit all patients who attend the emergency department.
“We are also very pleased the refurbishment has provided a new mental health safe assessment room,” Ms Fletcher said. “Having an upgraded room will mean patients who present to the emergency department and appear to have a mental health condition can be assessed and treated in a more private and appropriate space.”
The refurbishment was made possible by Caring Together, the NSW Government's response to the Garling Inquiry's recommendations into acute care services in NSW public hospitals.
Ms Fletcher said the refurbishment was good news for the more than 17,000 patients who access the emergency department every year.
“We’re very pleased that we have the opportunity to improve our facility to create a more functional and comfortable emergency department for our patients and our dedicated emergency department staff,” Ms Fletcher said.
Media are invited to attend the opening at 11am on Friday 19 November at the Armidale Hospital Emergency Department. Please call Emma Gibbs on 0428 114 767 to let us know you will be attending.
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767