The second stage of Canberra Hospital’s cancer ward upgrades has opened, providing an updated patient and family friendly ward for oncology patients.
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the opening of Ward 14B was part of a major program of infrastructure works across the Canberra Hospital campus.
“This latest refurbishment provides 28 beds for Oncology patients, and four additional bed bays,” Ms Stephen‑Smith said.
“These additional bed bays will be used this winter to assist with the short term and rapid intervention of patients and also provide additional capacity for Phase One trials as part of our Cancer Clinical Trials program,” she said.
“The design and refurbishment have created a light, airy and welcoming space.”
Ms Stephen‑Smith said the addition of the dining area and therapy gym space would enhance the holistic care provided to oncology patients and their families.
“Our dedicated health care workers are looking forward to caring for their patients in a new environment that will make a patient’s stay in the ward as pleasant as possible under very difficult and life challenging circumstances,” the Minister said.
She said the second stage of the project had been put on hold in early 2020 to ensure that Canberra Hospital maintained maximum capacity to respond to the potential of a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Ms Stephen‑Smith said the hospital upgrade team was now working to fund the refurbishment of the cancer wards’ courtyard space.
