Staff who will work at the new Maitland Hospital, are preparing for their move into the new $470 million Metford building which is scheduled to open next year.
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Health Infrastructure NSW confirmed this week that a number of milestones in the hospital's development have been met over the past four months.
Maitland Hospital Medical Department Heads visited the site over two weeks to see the almost completed spaces.
The western carpark is finished and the northern carpark is underway which will result in a total of 682 spaces.
A comprehensive process is now underway to ensure staff are prepared for the move.
Each department transition is being carefully planned with training and orientation, stocking processes and other procedures being developed.
Below is a chronological list of how the new development has progressed since May.
May:
Helipad on top of the new hospital given the green light after successful testing. Key stats:
Constructed using 18 tonnes of steel reinforcement and more than 40 trucks loads of concrete, sits 30 metres above the ground and is 26 metres in diameter.
The helipad includes a horizontal 1.5 metre wide safety net, Helicopter Landing System identification beacon, windsock, aviation lights and fire safety equipment.
A dedicated lift connects the helipad directly to the Emergency Department and critical care services.
Video shared on facebook of NSW Ambulance Retrieval officer Shane Harris talking about helipad
June:
The 75m arbour along the facade of the building was lit up at an event attended by representatives of Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council, Wonnarua Elders and Metford Primary School
Artwork designed by local indigenous artist Saretta Fielding in consultation with indigenous community
Features important local Wonnarua indigenous symbols that are connected to Country
Event featured Student Jarmiles Gardiner lit up the arbour for the first time.
The building's systems have been through testing:
Including air conditioning, lighting, power, water, medical gas and more.
Also included facility-wide black start: where all services are shut down and then re-started to ensure back-up systems are in place and working as required.
July
The western carpark is finished. The northern carpark is underway which will result in a total of 682 spaces.
Maitland Hospital Medical Department Heads visited the site over two weeks to see the almost completed spaces.
End of July - Expressions of interest to operate the retail spaces closed.
August
Roadworks to upgrade the Metford Road roundabout are almost complete.
The result will be a roundabout that drivers can use with two lanes from each of the three approaches.
Shortlist of applicants to operate the retail spaces (food, beverage and speciality stores) generated and will now be invited to prepare more detailed submissions.
A comprehensive process is now underway to ensure staff are prepared for the move.
Each department transition is being carefully planned with training and orientation, stocking processes and other procedures being developed.
Stay up to date with the hospital's progress at newmaitlandhospital.health.nsw.gov.au.