The Territory Labor Government continues to create jobs and improve health facilities and services with completion of the newly refurbished Oncology and Cardiology units at Alice Springs Hospital.
The redevelopment of the old Emergency Department at Alice Springs Hospital into the Oncology and Cardiology Wards created more than 90 jobs for locals.
Previously there was no dedicated Cardiology unit, but now it is all centralised on the ground floor with the consult rooms, stress test rooms, echocardiogram room and cardiac nurses office all in one convenient location.
The new Oncology day unit has been refurbished with patient comfort and privacy in mind and now has a purpose-built, larger treatment area with an additional private room for individual consultation with the doctors.
The Oncology treatment room was built with natural light in mind, which has been proven to be beneficial for the patients.
In the old Oncology department there was no dedicated consultation room, but in this new format the patients now have privacy when they are consulting with a specialist.
Both of the dedicated treatment spaces have new furniture and equipment, including a bariatric chair, blanket warmer and a new vital signs observation machine.
There is a dedicated reception area with a doctors office, medication room, storage for consumables, a private nurses station and administration offices, as well as an office for the Aboriginal Health Practitioner.
The McGrath Foundation breast care nurse has moved from the Liebig Building to the unit, making the overall service much more streamlined for patients.
Construction of a private courtyard, along with a dedicated carpark for patients, is due to commence in the next few months.
The redevelopment of the old Emergency Department at Alice Springs Hospital into the Oncology and Cardiology Wards commenced in February this year and the facility was handed over to the hospital in September without any construction delays.
The budget for the refurbishment was $2 million.
This is off the back of recent job creating health projects, including:
Palmerston Regional Hospital Construction created 380 jobs.
Palmerston Regional Hospital delivery created 300 new jobs and supports 450 local ongoing jobs.
The current health house demolition has created 250 jobs
Free Multistorey Carpark at Royal Darwin Hospital created 150 jobs
Upgrades to Gove Hospital created 35 jobs
Upgrades to the Nightcliff Renal Unit are currently underway and have created 120 jobs.
Comments from Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
The Territory Labor Government continues to invest in health services and facilities, with this latest project set to create 90 new local jobs. The Territory Labor Governments number one priority is creating new jobs, and completion of the newly refurbished Oncology and Cardiology units at Alice Springs Hospital makes the process for testing and treatment much more streamlined for the patient and the staff. Oncology is a family-oriented service with patients returning on a regular basis, so it is good to know that where they are going is pleasant with the spaces being much more inviting and practical for patients.
