Cairns Hospital’s expansion of its Emergency Department is nearing completion, with the newest area for treating patients ready for use.
Staff will start treating patients in the newly expanded 298sqm area of the ED from 28 August, while further upgrades to the existing department are underway.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Leena Singh said the entire $24.5 million project was on track for delivery early next year.
‘Our overall ED upgrade will deliver additional capacity increasing number of available beds from 47 to 53 beds; a dedicated X-ray suite; refurbished resuscitation bays; additional procedure room; and upgrades to waiting areas, storage and staff facilities,’ Ms Singh said.
‘The new area will provide 6 treatment areas and a new procedure room with increased isolation and negative pressure capacity.
‘Whilst further refurbishment is completed the new area will temporarily provide resuscitation capacity and a separate Queensland Ambulance Service entrance.
‘The final stage will include upgrades to the supporting areas, offices, and tearooms for our expanding workforce.
‘We thank the public for their patience while we carry out this work.’
She said the project would expand the capacity of the ED to care for increasing numbers of patients.
‘Cairns Hospital is the largest major hospital in Far North Queensland, providing emergency care to a region double the size of Tasmania,’ she said.
‘The hospital’s ED experienced its busiest day in history on 2 May last year, with a total 314 patients seeking emergency care; and we have been edging towards that number in recent weeks.
‘With a growing population and Cairns an increasingly popular holiday destination, we know this number is only going to keep getting bigger, so we need to grow the ED to keep up with population growth.’
Ms Singh said the ED upgrade was in addition to the $250 million Cairns Hospital Expansion Project.
‘This project includes a refurbishment of wards in Cairns Hospital, a new 32-bed surgical centre, the new 45-bed Sub-Acute Care facility that opened in Manoora in April, an additional 141 overnight beds and 16 same-day beds/bed alternatives,’ she said.
Cairns Hospital Acting Director Emergency Medicine, Dr Nora McCullagh, said Emergency Department staff had been a key part of the planning process and the complex staged construction program.
‘Since day one, we have tried to do things with as little interruption to our staff and patients as possible, ensuring all areas of the ED have still been able to be used throughout construction, to avoid any reductions in bed and treatment space,’ she said.
‘That everything is still on track is a testament not only to the professionalism and skill of the builders, but also our staff.
‘We look forward to everything being completed by the early next year.’