New hospital units start to take shape
It took 15 concrete trucks and 115 cubic metres of concrete poured over a six-hour period to set the foundations for the new short stay unit being built to support the emergency department at West Gippsland Hospital.
The pour is a milestone for the project which has involved extensive site clearing and ground preparation works at the front of the hospital for several months. The form work is now progressing to the stage for the slab to be poured.
When constructed, the eight-bed unit will provide much needed additional capacity for the emergency department which continues to experience growth in demand for services as the population climbs.
Chief executive officer Dan Weeks said the unit’s construction was one of two projects currently underway at the hospital with a third theatre also being built on level one.
“The construction projects have placed challenges on access and car parking and while alternative patient drop off and disability car parking has been installed, unfortunately there is unavoidable disruption.”
“We recently set up a volunteer concierge service which is assisting to direct people to navigate through the hospital.
“People who have mobility issues or need help getting into the hospital are advised to follow the yellow line painted on the main driveway entrance to the hospital around to the back of the emergency department where the ground is level and more wheelchair friendly.”
Mr Weeks said volunteers would be available during the day at the rear of emergency to provide directions. An intercom is available for people who need help accessing the hospital after hours.
Visitors and those who do not have mobility issues can still walk into the main entrance of the hospital and emergency department by following the pathway alongside the builder’s fencing.
People who need to access the consulting suites, haemodialysis or district nursing can park in the large car park off Sergeant Street or the district nursing car park off Ley Street where additional disability spaces are provided and the ground is more level.
The construction works are expected to continue until after mid-year.
For more information on the projects at West Gippsland Hospital go to: www.wghg.com.au or phone 5623 0611.