Community & Business
9 August, 2023
New hospital set to open
ATHERTON Hospital’s new Clinical Services Building will become fully operational at the end of the month.
The wards and services will move over four days, from 28-31 August, to ensure a safe transition for patients, staff and visitors.
From 9am on Wednesday 30 August, patients will present to the new emergency department, with patient drop-off and pick-up zones via the new Louise St entrance.
Prior to that, the Emergency Department will operate from its current location on Jack Street
Theatres and the Clinical Sterilising Department will move on Monday and Tuesday, 28-29 August; endoscopy will move on Wednesday and Thursday 30-31 August; and the medical and maternity wards will move on Thursday 31 August.
Atherton Hospital Director of Nursing and Midwifery Tammy Jennings said the upgrade to the hospital would deliver modern healthcare facilities that would improve clinical capability, patient care, and comfort for the community.
“Patients and visitors can expect bright and modern spaces with natural lighting and stunning views at the new facility,” she said.
“Key features include the new main hospital entrance via Louise St with safe patient drop-off and pick-up zones, more single-bed ensuite rooms, separate ambulance entry for greater patient privacy and family-friendly zones to cater for visitors.”
Acting Rural and Remote executive director Linda Bailey said the transition to the new building was delayed in May to ensure the safety of patients and staff after elevated lead levels were detected in some water outlets of the new building.
“Tropical Public Health Service (Cairns) has carried out rigorous investigative water testing and flushing in the Clinical Services Building and rectifications will get underway in August.
“The expert advice is that the potential health risk to people in the Clinical Services Building has been identified as very low,” Ms Bailey said.
“We want to thank the Atherton community and our staff for their patience whilst we undertook such extensive testing processes to assure ourselves the Clinical Services Building is a safe environment for our patients, staff and visitors.
“We are dedicated to building better care for Tablelands residents and look forward to becoming fully operational very soon.”
