The Canberra Hospital Expansion reached two major milestones last week with a summary of consultation feedback released and the lodging of a Development Application for its new Emergency, Surgical and Critical Healthcare building.
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the What We Heard report from YourSay, the Territory’s online consultation hub, was compiled following the first round of public consultation for the Canberra Hospital Master Plan and highlighted the community’s wish for a more accessible and connected hospital campus.
“Government undertook community and stakeholder engagement to understand what the community and campus users believe is important and what they believe needs to change across the Canberra Hospital campus,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“Through our extensive engagement with consumers, clinicians and the wider community regarding the Canberra Hospital Expansion and the Canberra Hospital Master Plan, we know how important wayfinding, welcoming spaces and accessible clinical services are for patients, families and carers,” she said.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the main feedback themes from the consultation were access and accessibility; clinical services, staff and public amenity; car parking; safety and security; outdoor space; and broader ACT health services.
The Minister said the feedback would be consolidated with what was know about the condition of existing buildings, as well as current and future demand for clinical services, to produce master plan options for further consultation.
She said the options were expected to be ready for consultation later this year
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Development Application (DA) for the new Emergency, Surgical and Critical Healthcare building was open for consultation until 18 June and was accompanied by a Design Update Brochure from Major Projects Canberra.
“The new facility will be located at the heart of the campus and is designed to deliver high-quality public spaces and facilities for patients, staff and visitors,” she said.
The Minister said the new, or improved, features of the design included 72 additional Emergency Department treatment spaces; eight additional Coronary Care Unit beds; a café terrace and more outdoor spaces; short-term parking along with dedicated pick up and drop off zones; and a repositioned surgical recovery area.
Major Projects Canberra’s 10-page Design Update Brochure can be accessed at this PS News link.
