With features such as bright play areas, a parents’ lounge and an adolescent retreat, Lismore Base Hospital’s new Paediatric Unit focuses on creating a visually appealing environment to complement its acknowledged high level of clinical care.
The unit, opened by visiting NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Friday 8 September, is part of LBH’s remarkable redevelopment in the past few years.
Helping celebrate the latest milestone was Lismore MP Thomas George, who will step down before the next state election in March 2019. There is no doubt he will be going out on a high note, with the once-outdated facility rapidly becoming a state-of-the-art referral hospital.
Minister Hazzard met with staff, patients and families who inspected a Unit that accommodates 20 children and has 14 private rooms, including three isolation rooms for infectious or immuno-compromised patients, all with ensuites.
“I congratulate the hospital staff, community members and local charities such as Our Kids, for designing such a bright, welcoming place for young patients and their families,” Thomas George said.
“It really shows what can be achieved when people work together to deliver services that will benefit our community well into the future.”
The Paediatric Unit is the second floor to open in the south tower in the $180 million Stage 3B redevelopment, which includes a helipad, new operating theatres, Women’s Care Unit, medical imaging services and new inpatient units.
In June, the NSW Government announced $52.5 million towards the final Stage 3C of the redevelopment, which will include an enhanced Intensive Care Unit, new inpatient units and new education, training, research and administration facilities. The 12-level south tower is due for completion in early 2018.
