Page 4192 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 26 November 2013
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running through that playground. Not having had a playground before at the hospital, it is just lovely to see that this facility has been able to provide that.
The therapeutic garden is a donation from Mrs Liangis, who many members will know. She has been a very quiet supporter of the hospital. We are encouraging her to allow us to talk about her donation and the fact that her donation has built a beautiful therapeutic garden which children can also play in. There is also a reflective garden which has been supported by Mrs Liangis. It is a great place for families who are coping with serious illness or the loss of a child to go into. Of course, Ronald McDonald House, who I saw down at the Tuggeranong Community Festival on the weekend, are also doing fantastic work. They will have a paediatrics unit in the paediatrics area, which is fantastic as well.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, what are the other key features in this important new facility?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Ms Berry for the question. The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children co-locates all maternity services, the neonatal intensive care unit, gynaecology and foetal medicine, the birth centre, paediatric inpatient care and outpatient services under one roof. There will be a cafe which will open, hopefully, in the next month. This will mean that patients and families who go there will be able to have all of their needs met within that part of the precinct.
It also incorporates the latest information and communication technologies, as well as state-of-the-art equipment. There is some wonderful play equipment for children in the playgrounds. There are also entertainment units throughout the waiting areas. There are colouring books and pencils and appropriate seating for children. There is also, of course, the NICU webcam, which has been part of the old NICU but has been moved into the new NICU as well.
I think this really does set a new benchmark for public women’s paediatric and newborn care in Australia. We are very lucky to have it here. I would like to thank all the staff that have been involved over the last five years of this project.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, does the centenary hospital have sufficient bed capacity, given the increased rates of women delivering in the public system?
MS GALLAGHER: It is certainly being managed at the moment. The hospital is very popular. The sharp increase that we saw over the last two years has eased somewhat. So we are not seeing the big increase. I think there was about an 11 per cent increase in admissions to Canberra Hospital during the spike in admissions. That has eased somewhat.
The number of beds is close to 150 but it is not just about the beds at this hospital. It is also about the consulting rooms. A lot of the work will be done in outpatient consulting rooms. There is a fantastic new day surgery area for paediatric patients to
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