Maitland Hospital Set To Open Early 2022

BY JARROD MELMETH

Construction on the new Maitland Hospital is ahead of schedule and is set to be taking patients by early 2022.

The Health Minister toured the site yesterday and touted the $470 million facility which will be home to a number of services including emergency care, chemotherapy chairs, surgical, critical care, maternity, paediatric, cardiac catherisation, mental health, palliative care, outpatient clinics and dental services.

The redevelopment will also include a $30 million car park, bringing the total investment to $500 million.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard says its fantastic to see the progress.

"The new hospital is on track to deliver world-class health care for the Hunter community from early next year.

"The project is a major opportunity to embrace technology and innovation, creating new ways of working and ultimately improving health outcomes for patients," Mr Hazzard said.

The new hospital is expected to be handed over from the builder in the next couple of months and then a commissioning period will be undertaken.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison joined the the Minister for the tour and says it is a landmark building.

"To see this project rise out of landscape into such a world class facility is a testament to the many valued workers in our health care system who have provided their input into the way our hospital should operate.

"The innovations are inspiring and show the genuine care and concern for patients," Ms Aitchison said.

The new hospital will also feature the largest scale installation of an artwork commissioned in a NSW Health facility.

The artwork which will be housed in the main foyer is designed by artist Peter Poulet and is described as a piece drawing on stories collected from locals and is an abstract representation of the Maitland area, the river and surrounding landscape.

Another piece along the arbour along the drop of and entry to the building has been commissioned by indigenous artist Saretta Fielding and celebrates Wonnarua Country. 

Health Minister Brad Hazzard & Maitland MP Jenny
Aitchison on site. Photo: Jenny Aitchison

Design Unveiled For New $780 Million John Hunter Hospital Building

BY JARROD MELMETH

The NSW Health Minister was at John Hunter Hospital on Tuesday to unveil the designs of the new Acute Service Building.

The $780 million, seven storey facility will have the capacity to increase intensive care services by 60 per cent and almost 50 percent more for theatres.

The Government says the patient has been put front and centre, with large windows for more natural light and plenty of green spaces and quiet zones to make the hospital stay as comfortable as possible.

The redevelopment will also include upgrades to the internal road network to compliment the future connection to the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and a link bridge to connect the new building.

The new facility will also include:

• A new Emergency Department
• Critical Care Services (adult and paediatric)
• Operating theatres and interventional suites
• Imaging services
• Birthing suite and inpatient maternity unit
• Neonatal intensive care and special care nursery
• Retail, new hospital entrance canopy and improved drop off zone
• Rooftop helipad and increased car parking

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazard says it is set to become a world class health precinct.

"This will no only significantly enhance capacity for clinical care and collaboration between the health, research and education sectors but be a key driver of economic growth in the region.

"The cleverly designed building will house cutting edge technology, enabling John Hunter's incredible staff to continue to deliver exemplary health care to the greater Newcastle, hunter and New England and northern NSW," Mr Hazzard said.

Artist impression of the new building.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard making the 
announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

Newcastle Company Answers Call For Covid Ventilators

BY IAN CROUCH

A Newcastle-based national engineering company is putting the final touches on the manufacture of the first of ten ventilators for the state government to help patients with COVID-19.

AmpControl answered the government's manufacturing call to arms to make a low-cost ventilator to boost patient care resources across the state's health system.

Engineers from the company worked with specialist clinicians from Hunter New England Health and the John Hunter Hospital as well as the University of Newcastle's Faculty of Engineering and other NSW Health specialists to develop the Ventasys ventilator.

Stage one of the project has been completed for the initial order of 10 units for health authorities - they will be put through rigorous testing and prototyping procedures before 100 units can be manufactured at the company's Cameron Park facility.

The ventilators will be used to boost capacity across Australia is the virus spikes again. There are also plans to export the product overseas.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian issued a call to arms five months ago calling on businesses to adapt into producing critical medical supplies in the fight against COVD-19.

"Global supply chains were disrupted and our local universities and manufacturers stepped in and joined forces to develop prototype ventilators. Two ventilators are on track to receive regulatory approval within weeks and, if needed, can be produced for hospitals here and potentially overseas, saving lives and boosting jobs," she said.

Health Minister, Brad Hazzard said The Ventilator Innovation Project was part of the NSW Government's $800 million investment to help increase services and equipment to combat COVID-19.

"Having access to a ventilator can be the difference between life and death for severe COVID cases and, sadly, we know the effects of shortages overseas," he said.

The Ventasys Emergency Ventilators developed By AmpControl at Cameron Park Picture: ampcontrolgroup.com

NSW Health Minister to Review Issues with Hunter Hospitals

BY ALICE PEART

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has met with the state Health Minister to raise concerns from the community over key issues in the Hunter health system.

Ms Hornery said it was a brief but productive discussion covering three things:

"It was about security guards and ensuring that we can look at a review of what we need in hospitals to make sure that staff and patients are safe.

We looked at waiting times and we also talked about the congestion and gridlock that's at the John Hunter Hospital with an emphasis on the mornings and afternoons and our quest to reinstate the shuttle service, because we know it was a very successful and popular service".

Reviews into the issues are expected to be initiated in the coming weeks with Ms Hornery saying she will be keeping a close eye on the process and that she expects the Minister to be accountable for some outcomes.

Birmingham Gardens In Line For New Ambulance Station

BY IAN CROUCH

Health Minister, Brad Hazzard has unveiled the preferred location for a new Ambulance Station at Birmingham Gardens.

The current station in Wilkinson Avenue will be closed down

Land on the Wallsend Community Health Service site in Nash Street is being earmarked for the new station.

The new and larger facility will provide internal parking for up to six Ambulances, administration, office and a staff meeting and logistics areas.

Due diligence investigations are under way ahead of planning approval so construction can get under way.