MINISTER for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard, Mid North Coast Local Health District Governing Board Chair Professor Heather Cavanagh and Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh officially opened the recently completed Clinical Services Building at the Coffs Harbour Base Hospital on Thursday December 2.

The opening marks a major milestone in the $194 million Coffs Harbour Hospital Expansion Project and delivers a raft of improvements for local health care and clinical services.

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The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and will deliver a larger emergency department with more than 60 percent additional spaces, a new short-stay surgical unit, six new operating theatres, a new and expanded ICU, 30 percent more inpatient beds, a 120 percent expansion in the overall size of ambulatory care space for the community to access outpatient health services, research and education facilities, including a new simulation room, and a 40 percent increase in capacity for chemotherapy, as well as greater renal dialysis capacity with 14 additional chairs.

Governing Board Chair Professor Heather Cavanagh told News Of The Area, “The foundations of this new building are strong and designed to last well into the future, but the true cornerstone of this project is the dedication of those who’ve been involved from day one, those who really made it happen.

“Working in partnership with Health Infrastructure, the Local Health District’s project team, led by Mark Tyler, and Mark Wilson before him, embraced all the tasks and challenges put before them and the finished product is just marvellous.

“Projects like this take a considerable amount of planning and collaboration and we are exceptionally proud of what has been achieved here.

“I acknowledge and recognise the staff members who have been involved from the very beginning and whose input and guidance has been a crucial element to the success of this project.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said, “I thank all the locals who have been part of the extensive consultations and have helped to shape this important redevelopment.

“I am also pleased that these spaces reflect our local communities and feature artwork from local Aboriginal and multicultural communities, local photography and department names in Gumbaynggirr language.”

The opening included a traditional Smoking Ceremony conducted by Troy Robinson and Auntie Jenny Skinner.

By David TUNE