Construction on Moyne Health Services’ (MHS) $2.26 million urgent care centre and hospital redevelopment will begin in Port Fairy later this month.
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Port Fairy firm M.M. Hearn Constructions has been awarded the contract to integrate the urgent care centre into the northern end of the hospital. It will include X-ray facilities, two dedicated triage bays and high dependency room for patients requiring specialised care.
The new centre, which is stage two of the MHS masterplan, will also have a multipurpose room that can be used as an acute room, for triage or isolation as required.
MHS executive director of corporate support services Leigh Parker said the hospital and existing urgent care centre were located at opposite ends of the building, 100 metres apart.
He said co-locating the two areas would improve patient care and provide a safer environment for staff.
The works are expected to be completed by late September to early October next year, he said.
MHS chief Jackie Kelly said it was an exciting day. “It’s been a long time in the planning and finally it’s here,” Ms Kelly said. “It’s been a lot of work for a lot of people. The community has been really engaged in it so it’s great they can see that it’s finally happening.”
By the end of next year, more than $11 million worth of building works will have been conducted at the hospital including the community health building which opened in February, the urgent care centre and hospital redevelopment, the co-location of the Port Fairy ambulance station, and the Moyneyana House redevelopment.
M.M. Hearn Constructions managing director Michael Hearn said demolition and realignment of services would be completed at the site before building works could begin.
“It’s not a new build until we come out of some of the demolition work. It’s (also about) allowing the hospital to function. It’s a very confined area so we have to be mindful of the whole hospital operation at the same time.”
Mr Hearn said he was pleased to secure the contract and it would be “full steam ahead” in a fortnight.
“It’s great being a local contractor within the town and employing local trades. It’s a great community asset here.
“We’ve been contracting for 35 years. We did Moyneyana House back in the 80s, its first stage. I was 24 (years old) when we did that. That was a great contract at the time and it’s still standing today.”