New rehabilitation unit helps road to recovery
19 August 2011
The old nurses home at Kurri Kurri Hospital is being demolished to make way for a new rehabilitation unit.
The 14-bed unit will focus on rehabilitation for patients who have undergone orthopaedic surgery, particularly elderly patients.
Demolition began this week and is expected to take up to six weeks.
Lower Hunter Cluster General Manager Yvonne Patricks said detailed planning and construction for the new unit can begin once demolition is completed and the site cleared.
The Kurri Kurri unit is part of 30 new beds for the Hunter to assist patients recovering from surgery or who need extra care before returning home.
Sixteen of the new beds have been earmarked for Belmont Hospital.
The beds are scheduled to open in early February 2013 following refurbishment and construction work at both hospitals.
“Rehabilitation is an important part of care for patients to help them on their road to recovery from illness or surgery,” Ms Patricks said.
“It is also important that we support those patients, including the elderly, who may take longer to recover after a fall or illness and require a lower level of care for longer periods of time during their recovery.
“The State Government is rolling out additional sub-acute beds across the state to help meet the need for rehabilitation services and help take the pressure off our existing acute hospital services.
“The new Kurri beds will benefit patients who are no longer acutely unwell to commence their specialised rehabilitation treatment sooner.
“At Belmont, they will help patients who need extra support before they can safely return home.”
Construction of the Hunter’s two new sub-acute units is expected to cost $11 million.
Daryl Jackson Robin Dyke Pty Ltd has been appointed as the project design consultant for the Kurri project following a tender process.
The Sydney-based architects have experience in delivering significant health-related projects and will be responsible for the final planning and design of the new 14-bed unit.
Hunter New England Health has called for tenders for the design of the Belmont unit.
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216