By Matt Kean
The brand new paediatrics unit at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital is open for business with staff thrilled to be in their new home.
Paediatrics is the second department to open in the brand new six-storey clinical services building—the centrepiece of the $265 million Stage two redevelopment of the hospital.
Member for Hornsby Matt Kean and Member for Ku-ring-gai Alister Henskens SC took a tour of the new department which includes additional beds for patients and a better play area for younger children and a recreation room with study area for older children.
“There isn’t anything worse than sick kids, and this new ward will help improve the stay for kids if they find themselves in hospital,” Mr Kean said.
“The design has also increased the rooms available so we can cater to our community not just now but into the future.”
Mr Henskens said, “This new facility will help the staff deliver excellent treatment for sick and vulnerable children while providing comfort for their families”.
Children of all ages are covered with a play area for younger children and a study area and rec room which can be used by older patients.
“There is a strong correlation between work environment and staff effectiveness and the staff I spoke with were excited about the improvements made thanks to the NSW Government”, Mr Henskens said.
More departments will start moving across to the new building later in the year. This will include Outpatients, Pharmacy and ICU.
“This new building will ensure Hornsby Hospital staff are able to continue to deliver worldclass health care in modern facilities,” Mr Kean said.
Once completed the Clinical Services Building will be home to Combined Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit, Combined Respiratory/Cardiac and Coronary Care beds with a Cardiac Investigations Unit, Outpatient Services, Medical Imaging, Medical Assessment Unit, Transit Unit, Inpatient Units (including general medicine, stroke and dementia/ delirium beds), collocated education space with the University of Sydney and Retail space.
Stage 2 follows on from the $121 million Stage 1 which delivered the new STAR (surgical, theatres, anaesthetics and recovery) building, as well as the new $19.8 million six-storey car park offering over 500 spaces.
