16/11/05
Work on the design of the new Denmark Hospital and health facility has begun, with the State Government appointing architects Hassell and Associates.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the Government had allocated $18million for the first stage of the project, which would involve the construction of a state-of-the-art 32-bed facility.
Mr McGinty said the new multi-purpose hospital and health facility would replace Denmark’s existing 75-year-old hospital, which was outdated and in need of repair.
“Our main objective is to provide a new hospital to the people of Denmark as soon as possible as the existing hospital is old and totally inappropriate for modern health care delivery,” he said.
“The upgraded hospital will provide 10 acute and 22 aged care inpatient beds, as well as a new emergency department and ambulatory services such as Home and Community Care.
“The design of the new hospital will maintain the general style of Denmark and blend in with the river and parkland setting, while also being environmentally friendly and energy-efficient.
“This is an exciting project which will ensure Denmark residents have access to the latest clinical facilities and specialised health care closer to where they live.”
The Minister said the new hospital was a 3.5ha portion of the 11.5ha community park site. The remaining 7.5ha of the site would remain as parkland.
Amendments to the Denmark Town Planning Scheme are required to change the zoning of the selected portion of the community park to public reserve for hospital use.
The existing 3.22ha hospital and frail aged lodge sites will be zoned from hospital and aged persons’ use to parks and recreation and will be added to the community park for Denmark residents to use.
A contract to carry out the rezoning process has been let to Albany-based firm Ayton Taylor and Burrell, who will lodge the necessary documents with the Denmark Shire Council before the end of the month.
The matter is expected to be discussed at the first December council meeting.
The design for the new hospital should be completed in February 2006 and tenders to construct the facility should be called mid-next year.
The tender will be awarded in September 2006, with the hospital expected to open its doors by December 2007.
Mr McGinty said the $18million to construct the new Denmark Hospital was on top of the extra $58.8million for country hospitals announced recently.
“The redevelopment of Denmark Hospital is part of a total rebuild of the State’s health system,” he said.
“Our booming economy means we can invest an extra $3.5billion to build new hospitals and upgrade existing hospitals throughout the State.
“The Gallop Government is improving the quality of health services to all Western Australians wherever they live.”
Minister's office - 9220 5000
