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Changes as ED work begins
2 April 2009
Drop-off parking restrictions will come into force when work begins in earnest next week on the $10 million redevelopment of The Maitland Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Workmen are expecting to fence off much of the area at the front of the hospital this weekend – including public drop-off and disabled parking spaces – in preparation for the start of early site works on Monday.
Acting General Manager Karen Kelly said vehicle access at the front of the hospital would be restricted to ambulances and other emergency vehicles ONLY.
“We have created temporary drop-off and short-term parking zones and disabled parking spaces in the nearby Melbee car park and in our main car park immediately adjacent to the pedestrian crossing on High Street,” Ms Kelly said.
“These are necessary but temporary measures to enable the redevelopment to progress.
“As part of the early works phase, the builders will be constructing new, reconfigured drop-off and disabled parking at the front of the hospital. All of that will take some months before it is able to be used.”
The redevelopment is a $10 million dollar investment by the NSW Government to help meet the acute health needs of the rapidly growing Maitland and surrounding areas.
Ms Kelly said other immediate changes include a new temporary pedestrian path to link people from High Street, near the existing pedestrian crossing, to the main front entry.
Some disruption during construction would be inevitable.
“Key public sections of the hospital will be a construction zone for approximately 18 months and some noise, disruption and inconvenience is inevitable,” she said.
“We are asking the community of Maitland and the surrounding areas for their patience, co-operation and support as we work through the each stage as quickly as possible.”
There may also be some increased traffic congestion.
“We anticipate there may at times be increased traffic congestion and delays at the front of the hospital and in surrounding streets, especially as heavy vehicles load or offload equipment and materials.
“We are asking drivers and pedestrians to be extra vigilant and patient during these times.”
There will be no bed or service closures during construction.
The redevelopment involves refurbishing and extending the existing Emergency Department and front foyer areas and will be done in stages.
“We will be progressively building new ambulance areas, a new main entry foyer and waiting areas, and then moving into the Emergency Department itself to provide new reception and triage areas and new clinical treatment areas,” Ms Kelly said.
“When construction is completed in the latter half of 2010, patients, visitors and staff will see a new, larger, modern Emergency Department that is nearly double the size of the existing ED.”
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216
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