Page 4532 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 26 November 2019
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The master plan will provide guiding objectives that will inform the development of options for implementing changes to the site, and act as a guide for ensuring that future changes reinforce or strengthen the features which are important to the campus. It will set out the development stages and design parameters for future development and investment phases to achieve a functional, collegiate, considered and efficient health campus. As well as physical infrastructure, the masterplan will help guide the provision of clinical services, along with important features such as car parking and environmental sustainability.
The infrastructure plan that the ACT government issued last month demonstrates our commitment to delivering the facilities and services our community needs into the future. The plan highlighted that planning needs to be undertaken in a systematic, long-term and considered manner so that our growing city can remain healthy, happy, livable and productive.
Canberra’s north side has grown rapidly in recent years. Gungahlin was the second-fastest growing community in the country between 2011 and 2016 and continues to grow. Belconnen is expanding at Ginninderry and with new developments in the town centre. The construction boom along Northbourne Avenue is bringing revitalisation to the inner north. With this population increase, the government recognises that new and expanded facilities are needed in Canberra’s north. That is why the government has commenced scoping works on the future of north side hospital services in the medium to longer term.
We are also planning for a new hydrotherapy pool on the south side, to complement the rehabilitation facility at the University of Canberra Hospital. I look forward to updating the Assembly on this work later in the week.
Cancer wards 14A and 14B at Canberra Hospital are currently under redevelopment to provide cancer and haematology inpatients with better facilities, new medical equipment and furnishings. More than $17 million dollars has been invested in this project, which is on track for completion in the second half of 2020, with works on ward 14A due to be completed at the end of this year. Not only will this upgrade provide state-of-the-art facilities for those who need it; it will also provide an expansion of beds available for cancer, haematology and acute aged care patients by six. Additionally there will be more single bedrooms to support patient privacy, infection control and recovery, and daybeds in inpatient rooms to enable family members to be more involved.
The government is also investing in the upgrading and maintenance of existing assets. The upgrading and maintaining ACT health assets, or UMAHA, program began in 2016 and represents a capital investment of $90.9 million. It is intended to minimise the risk of interruption to the delivery of health services and efficiently deliver remedial works on a planned basis.
The projects I have talked about today demonstrate the government’s unshakeable commitment to continuing to provide Canberrans with world-class healthcare when and where they need it. From new hospitals and walk-in centres to expanded services
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