Progress on expanding the Redland Hospital is gearing up with contracts for two infrastructure projects awarded.
During her visit to Redland Hospital today, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath said the contracts had been awarded for the $25 million 28-bed ward announced in this year's Budget, as well as the $62 million Stage 1 Expansion.
"I'm pleased to announce that we've awarded a contract to ADCO for the Stage 1 Expansion of Redland Hospital, which will deliver 37 extra beds and a new ICU," Minister D'Ath said.
"Construction of the Stage 1 Expansion is expected to commence in the first quarter of next year and be completed in the first half of 2024."
"I'm also pleased to announce that we've awarded a contract to Hutchinson Builders to build the new $25 million ward announced in this year's Budget, which will deliver 28 additional beds at Redland Hospital," Minister D'Ath said.
"Construction on the 28-bed ward is due to commence in early 2023, and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023."
Minister D'Ath said the ward would be constructed off-site and craned into place, and will be fully equipped with essential services including plumbing, medical gases and clinical lighting.
Minister D'Ath said work was also progressing on the hospital campus, with the new seven-storey car park construction nearing completion.
"It's great to see the exterior façade come to life after being voted on by the community," Minister D'Ath said.
"I know the 1000 additional car parks will be a very welcome addition for patients, visitors and staff when it opens in early 2023."
As well as these three projects, the Redlands Coast community will also be able to access healthcare services at the new Redlands Satellite Hospital, being constructed at Meissner Street, Redland Bay.
The Redlands Satellite Hospital will include a Minor Injury and Illness Clinic to take pressure off Redland Hospital's busy emergency department, and will also offer a range of other services tailored to the local community.
It will deliver healthcare services closer to home, saving locals from having to travel to Redland Hospital and other major hospitals across the Metro South Hospital and Health Service.
The Satellite Hospital will be finished and operational next year.
Minister for Public Works and Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni said the array of health infrastructure projects would provide a much-needed boost to not only healthcare services but also the local economy.
"These job-creating projects employ architects, planners, engineers, carpenters and painters – and once complete, we'll be employing more healthcare workers to staff these expanded services," Minister de Brenni said.
Member for Redlands Kim Richards welcomed the Palaszczuk Government's significant health investments in the Redlands community.
"The new Satellite Hospital will make a real difference for our community," Ms Richards said.
"The LNP has attacked this brand new Satellite Hospital being built in our community since day one."
"It's crystal clear that if the LNP had been elected, we wouldn't be receiving this brand new health facility right in the heart of our community."
Member for Capalaba Don Brown said he was proud of the Palaszczuk Government's record investment in both health infrastructure and frontline staff.
"I'm really proud of our investment in frontline health workers, with the Palaszczuk Government increasing the budget for the Metro South Hospital and Health Service by 60 per cent since 2015," Mr Brown said.
"Here at the Redland Hospital, this includes hiring 51 more doctors, 204 more nurses and midwives and 76 more allied health professionals since 2015."
The Stage 1 Expansion is jointly funded by the Queensland Government ($32 million) and the Federal Government ($30 million).
The new $25 million 28-bed ward is funded by the Queensland Government as part of the $229.7 million Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery Program announced in this year's Budget.
