First stage of new Quirindi HealthOne nears completion
23 November 2010
The first stage of Quirindi’s new HealthOne facility is nearing completion.
Health Service Manager Luke Sams said it was an exciting milestone for the new integrated health facility.
“Stage 1 building work has included new administration areas which will be completed in the coming weeks and will become operational from Monday 6 December 2010,” Mr Sams said.
“The new HealthOne is being built right next door to Quirindi Hospital as a one-stop shop for primary and community health care services.
“It will bring benefits for the people of Quirindi and surrounding areas and improve the access to health services. This is a really exciting milestone in the project.”
Stage 2 of the redevelopment begins this week and will see a refurbishment of the existing Imaging Department. It is hoped to have this work completed before Christmas.
Mr Sams said this will mean temporary changes for people needing x-ray or imaging services who will have to travel to Tamworth Hospital for x-rays during this period.
“Quirindi Hospital provides a part-time x-ray service that operates for half a day, three days a week but we have to temporarily close that service for a short period to allow for the refurbishment.
“We know this will be an inconvenience for some residents, however it is a temporary measure that is needed to allow us to refurbish the Imaging Department as part of the development of our brand new health facility.
“We will resume normal x-ray services as soon as possible.”
When completed next year, the new HealthOne will bring GPs, community and allied health, visiting medical specialists and other primary health services together under one roof adjoining the local hospital.
Acute health services and treatment will still be provided at Quirindi Hospital which will be joined to the new HealthOne facility via a main public corridor.
The two facilities will also share a new general reception area from which people can access or be directed to whichever facility or service they require. It will be located inside a new front entrance and will be operational from 6 December along with the rest of Stage One.
“The entrance is currently at the western end of the hospital but from 6 December the new permanent entrance will be located further along Nowland Street, adjacent to the Emergency Department and Ambulance entry,” Mr Sams said.
Work has already started on the third and final stage of the project.
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216