Tamara Private Hospital has begun a $10 million upgrade to meet rising demand for services and reduce the need for residents to travel outside the Tamworth region in New South Wales for treatment.
CEO and Director of Clinical Services, Dr Patricia Thornberry, said the refurbishment and expansion would deliver a much-needed boost to the 53-bed hospital's capacity.
It is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, with construction works staged to ensure there is no disruption to hospital services.
"There's currently a waiting list for private patients because the existing operating theatres at Tamara Private Hospital are at capacity now," Dr Thornberry said.
"Having a new operating theatre will allow extra theatre time for our surgeons and enable patients to have their surgery here in Tamworth and not have to travel outside the region."
The redevelopment will include a new integrated operating theatre, plus a shell for another to meet future needs, and it will significantly increase capacity and patient flow of the existing day surgery unit.
There will also be an upgraded endoscopy procedure room, 10 additional recovery bays, plus new reception and waiting areas.
"In addition to new patient facilities, the redevelopment will also include a significant upgrade to the hospital's central sterile supply department," Dr Thornberry said.
"This unit is responsible for the collection, decontamination, assembling, packing, sterilisation, storing and distribution of sterile goods and equipment to patient care areas - work that has become even more critical and painstaking during the pandemic."
