The $12 million upgrade of Broken Hill Hospital's emergency department (ED) is now complete, delivering a modern facility to help meet the healthcare needs of local communities now and into the future.
Completed in stages, the ED has expanded with a full internal refurbishment and reconfiguration, providing expanded and upgraded treatment spaces and improved patient flow.
Stage 3 is the final stage of the ED upgrade and includes a new main entry, reception area, waiting room and triage space, a new interview/consult room and two treatment bays. This stage also marks the completion of the broader Broken Hill Health Services redevelopment works.
The ED extension, reconfiguration of existing treatment bays, new staff areas and clinical back-of-house areas opened in stages earlier this year.
Artwork created by local artists has been installed in the paediatric bay, interview room and two new consult rooms to help create a supportive and healing environment for patients, visitors and staff.
ED patients and visitors are advised that permanent access is now in place, with signs installed. Access changes include:
A new 24/7 dedicated external entry, accessed from the left of the footpath as you enter from the rear carpark.
If accessing the ED from the Thomas Street entry to the hospital, please walk to the back doors in the main corridor, exit main door and enter the ED doors on the right.
The Broken Hill Health Service redevelopment works includes the $12 million ED upgrade and the new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit delivered as part of the NSW Government's $700m Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program.
The Health and the Arts Framework 2024-2032 highlights the role of the arts in providing patients, staff and communities with positive experiences within healthcare settings. The Framework recognises and provides guidance for integrating the arts into our facilities and healthcare.
The community of Broken Hill will also benefit from new Key Health Worker Accommodation, the first to be delivered in the Far West Local Health District as part of the Minns Labor Government's $200.1 million program.
This is in addition to the 20 new health worker units at Broken Hill Health Service completed earlier this year.
The new accommodation will help attract and retain essential healthcare workers to the region.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:
"We are committed to ensuring regional communities in NSW can access the care they need, when they need, closer to home.
"The upgrade will not only help ED staff deliver high-quality-care but also ensures Broken Hill and surrounding communities have access to a first-class and modern health facility.
"It's a fantastic achievement after almost 18 months of construction. I thank all staff, patients and visitors for their patience and understanding during the delivery of this important upgrade."
Quotes attributable to Member for Barwon Roy Butler:
"The ED upgrade is an important project and it's wonderful to see it completed, ensuring patients and visitors receive high-quality care in a modern and functional space.
"The completion of the ED upgrade and the recent completion of the new Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit will improve patient experiences and support physical and psychological recovery.
"The Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment, boosted by the delivery and investment of new key health worker accommodation, is also putting Broken Hill on the map to help attract and retain clinicians further improving the local community's access to the best possible care."
