A PLANNED new emergency department at Muswellbrook Hospital has been given a boost with a $2.5 million donation from BHP Billiton.
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The donation, announced on Tuesday morning, is thought to be one of the biggest corporate donations Hunter New England Health has ever received.
The state government had put aside $4 million under the Resources for Regions program but the donation means the health service now has $6.5 million for the project.
Hunter New England Health chief executive Michael DiRienzo said the expanded emergency department would greatly increase the space available to treat people that needed emergency care.
‘‘It will include additional beds and more treatment spaces; as well as improved patient and staff facilities and new ambulance bays and entry,’’ he said.
“This is a large investment in health for the Upper Hunter,” he said.
BHP Billiton NSW Energy Coal Asset President Peter Sharpe said BHP Billiton recognised the need for improved access to local medical facilities and services in Muswellbrook.
“BHP Billiton is proud to support the communities in which it operates,’’ he said.
The new emergency department will include:
- three acute treatment beds
- a paediatric treatment bed
- a two-bed resuscitation bay for critically unstable patients
- consult rooms
- procedure/plaster room
- a room for assessing patients who are experiencing mental health and other issues
- a private room for women experiencing difficulties in early pregnancy
- a room to accommodate patients with infectious respiratory illnesses, and
- pathology and pharmacy spaces.
Emergency department staff and local doctors will have a new staff station, offices, a lunch room and a meeting room that will function as the hospital’s disaster co-ordination centre, if needed.
There will also be an area to review x-rays and write up clinical notes, a designated doctor’s office, storage for equipment and supplies, and a room that will offer privacy for families and loved ones during difficult times.
The new department will also incorporate the latest digital and Telehealth technology that will link Muswellbrook with specialists and clinicians at other sites, such as John Hunter and Maitland hospitals.
Planning for the project is currently being finalised.
Work will begin in October 2013 and is expected to be completed before the end of 2014.
Mr DiRienzo said the donation meant a bigger and better emergency department than initially envisaged.
doctors will have a new staff station, offices, a lunch room and a meeting room that will function as the hospital’s disaster coordination centre, if needed.
There will also be an area to review x-rays and write up clinical notes, a designated doctor’s office, storage for equipment and supplies, and a room that will offer privacy for families and loved ones during difficult times.
The new department will also incorporate the latest digital and Telehealth technology that will link Muswellbrook with specialists and clinicians at other sites, such as John Hunter or Maitland hospitals.
Planning for the project is currently being finalised.
Work will begin in October 2013 and is expected to be completed before the end of 2014.
Mr DiRienzo said the donation meant a bigger and better emergency department than initially envisaged.
