New Emergency Department for Mersey Patients
Patients at the Mersey Community Hospital are set to benefit from a new $5.3 million Emergency Department which was officially opened on 9 March 2012.
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Joint Release
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Health
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Minister for Health
Sid Sidebottom MP
Federal Member for Braddon
9 March 2012Patients at the Mersey Community Hospital are set to benefit from a new $5.3 million Emergency Department which was officially opened today.
The new state-of-the-art unit – funded by the Tasmanian Government – was officially opened by Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne, and Federal Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek.
“The redeveloped Emergency Department has more than doubled in size and offers more comfort and privacy for patients” Ms O’Byrne said.
“It will improve patient flow and help reduce waiting times even further.
“The Mersey Emergency Department is already performing above the national average on treatment times – this redevelopment will help our health professionals continue to deliver excellent care.”
Ms Plibersek said the redevelopment is another example of the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments working together to provide improved health care.
“Our partnership is delivering quality health services in a hospital funded by the Commonwealth and run by the Tasmanian Government,” she said.
“Together we are providing the people of the North West with the health care they need, where they need it, when they need it.”
Ms O’Byrne said emergency treatment remained a top priority in the current budget climate and this redevelopment was evidence of that.
“The new unit contains a ‘fast-track’ area during peak times to ensure patients receive care as quickly as possible.
“There is also a new waiting area, adjacent paediatric waiting area and spacious parenting room,” Ms O’Byrne said.
Other additions include:
- Two new resuscitation bays and six adjacent treatment beds
- A new and expanded ambulance bay
- Two fast-track patient beds and two adjacent treatment rooms plus a centralised pressurised treatment to allow patients to be isolated.
- A six-bay short-stay unit with separate nurses’ station
- Three new doctors’ and nurses’ stations and a new triage area
- Centralised storage, kitchenette, drugs and utility spaces
- A new reception area
- Additional car parking
- New staff kitchen and staff areas.
“It is not always easy when construction is going on, particularly in an Emergency Department,” Mr Sidebottom said.
“All staff are to be congratulated for continuing to provide a first-class service to patients.”
The Mersey Community Hospital is funded by the Australian Government and operated by the Tasmanian Government.
For media inquiries, please contact Minister Plibersek’s office on 02 6277 7220
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