Today (1 May) it felt like visiting the brand new hospital-with-no-patients that featured in the legendary ‘Yes Minister’ program.
From tomorrow, however, things will be much busier as Lismore Base Hospital’s purpose-built Women’s Care Unit begins to fill up with expecting mothers, parents with newborns and staff who have been eagerly awaiting their impressive new workspace.
The facility, described by Local Health District’s Richmond Clarence Health Service Group, Lynne Weir, as “a giant leap forward for women’s care in the area”, is the latest floor to open as part of LBH’s $180M Stage 3B redevelopment.
Soon will come new theatres, paediatrics, medical imaging and a range of other clinical services. The 12-storey also includes a helipad.
Introducing the new unit to the community via local media Ms Weir said it is not only “absolutely beautiful” but “an ultra-modern state of the art facility,” claims impossible to deny.
Ms Weir added, “The WCU is spacious and contains an expanded Special Care Nursery [neonatal intensive care] and Birthing Unit, as well as spacious predominantly single-bed rooms. In keeping with modern standards, each of the five new birthing suites contains a birthing bath.”
The previous stage of the hospital’s redevelopment, comprising a much-expanded ED and new renal unit, was costed at $80.25M and opened late last year.
