Locals win hospital’s OR tender

SURGERY demands at the region’s largest hospital will be better met after works began on the Toowoomba Hospital’s seventh operating theatre this week.

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service executive director infrastructure Dr Paul Clayton said works on the $2.6 million theatre began this week, identified as a priority project to further meet the growing demand on surgical services.

“Last financial year, 3617 emergency and 5630 elective surgeries were performed at Toowoomba Hospital, not including endoscopies,” Dr Clayton said.

“The $2.6 million project includes construction of a new theatre, post-op recovery area and storage facilities, as well as a state-of-the-art fitout including equipment to perform laser surgery.

“The new theatre is expected to be in service by November this year.”

A consortium of Toowoomba firms won the tender with FKG Group overseeing construction and Aspect Architects and Project Managers managing the build, coming in 25% under the total allocated by the DDHHS budget operating surplus.

Sims White Architects principal design consultant Tony White said the project was on track for its completion date, propelled by the use of local firms from design to construction.

“It’s a project that is driven by the surgical demand in Toowoomba and it is desperately needed, particularly as day surgery has become more popular and the number of

❝It’s a project that is driven by the surgical demand in Toowoomba and it is desperately needed. — Sims White Architects Tony White

operations that need to happen,” Mr White said.

“The theatre that we’re doing now was actually allowed for in the floor plan of the building so there is an allowance for this additional theatre.

“In terms of space, there are still some tricks that we had to pull to make it work.”

Mr White said keeping the designs, construction and management local meant it could be undertaken on time and under budget.

“We’re going about 25% under budget,” Mr White said.

“It’s a win-win for everyone in this circumstance particularly with these jobs that are fairly complicated.

“There’s a log of moving parts, a lot of things that change as we uncover them.

“If it’s not local it’s typically from Brisbane which can be difficult to (provide) service in a timely manner.

“It’s really important for the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service to have capable locals to provide the services they need from a timely point of view.

“They can get to know the site, and the difficulties in the sites and services.”