Getting on with the job at St George Hospital
Date:
Fri, 15/06/2012
Spokesperson:
NSW Minister for Health, Minister for Medical Research, The Hon Jillian Skinner MP
The Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, and the Member for Oatley, Mark Coure, today announced that tenders have been awarded for both the new $8 million specialist mental health unit and for the commencement of construction for the new emergency department at St George Hospital.
Minister Skinner said that construction has started this week on the essential early works component of the new emergency department.
“The emergency department will be constructed in a new purpose-built building and will have expanded treatment areas which will improve patient care and efficiency,” Mrs Skinner said.
“This redevelopment will meet the future needs of patients by delivering expanded services for the current population of the local area, and beyond,” she said.
Mr Coure said that St George Hospital’s emergency department has seen an increased number of patients in recent years, which has been generated by population growth, an ageing population and major trauma presentations.
“The new emergency department will be a significant boost for St George Hospital, which has one of the busiest emergency departments in NSW, seeing more than 62,900 patients and admitting around 22,000 patients each year,” Mr Coure said.
The Minister for Mental Health, Kevin Humphries, said older people with a mental illness are some of the most vulnerable in our community.
“This new, specialised facility is another significant improvement for people with mental illness and will further complement existing mental health services throughout the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District,” Mr Humphries said.
“Integrated care with a seamless transition from hospital-based services to the community will be provided to older people who have mental health conditions,” he said.
Mr Coure said that the new mental health unit would provide the St George area with a highly specialised unit, which is good news for carers and family members who have a loved one with mental health issues.
MEDIA: John McCormack 0467 731 806 (Minister Skinner)
Jeremy Scott 0467 741 200 (Minister Humphries)
Mark Coure 9580 9349
