Albany Regional Hospital facilities upgrades

30/4/96

Albany residents are set to benefit from an upgrade of facilities at the Albany Regional Hospital.

Health Minister and Member for Albany, Kevin Prince, said redevelopment work would be carried out by local builder Wauters Enterprises,who successfully bid for the $1.76 million contract.

The redevelopment would encompass improvements to the Accident and Emergency Department, the main entrance to the hospital, the reception and admissions area, hospital kiosk and medical records department.

"Work is expected to start in about six weeks and I am overjoyed that Albany residents will not only benefit from the improved hospital facilities but also from the economic spin-offs of the construction work itself," Mr Prince said.

"We have a lot of local expertise and I am glad that a local contractor successfully competed and won such an important contract."

The redevelopment is expected to take about 40 weeks, with completion expected by late March 1997.

Major improvements are expected to include:

·       increased capacity to treat emergency cases, from three to six bays;

·       improved emergency treatment and equipment including a dedicated resuscitation room;

·       automatic opening doors for disabled access to the main entrance;

·       improved reception and admission facilities;

·       improved access and more storage for medical records;

·       improved kiosk facilities for patients, visitors and staff.

Mr Prince said temporary arrangements would be made to provide access to the hospital during the redevelopment work.

Upgrade plans for the Accident and Emergency Department and the hospital entry were designed by Hobbs Winning Australia, in association with local architects Hobbs Smith and Holmes.

Mr Prince said the Western Australian Building Management Authority would lead the project on behalf of the Health Department.

Other work recently completed at the hospital included a dental clinic by Denmark builder Thornton Building Company.

Media contact: Stacey Molloy 366 0300 or 222 9595