The $19 million redevelopment of Lourdes hospital moved a step closer yesterday, with the announcement that a Bathurst architect firm has won the project manager’s contract.
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Havenhand Mather will draw up detailed plans for a development application and for tendering a building contract. The finish date for the new Lourdes is mid-010.
In January NSW Health minister Reba Meagher promised NSW Health would fund about two thirds of the redevelopment - equating to about $12.6 million. It ended a year or so long argument between the Government and Catholic Healthcare, which is responsible for Lourdes, over funding the rebuild.
Lourdes provides much of the region’s rehabilitation and palliative care, filling a giant service gap for NSW Health.
It needed the money to rebuild, because its existing building will not meet accreditation next year.
Catholic Healthcare western general manager Jeannine Biviano said the new Lourdes would be built behind the existing, ageing inpatient buildings, which will be demolished.
It will adjoin the aged-care facility Holy Spirit Dubbo, also owned by Catholic Healthcare.
“It will be mostly one level, there’s one element that will be two due to the slope,” Ms Biviano said. “It will house the inpatient area and new hydrotherapy pool, the gym, the consulting room and office space.
“It will replace everything - the kitchen, new laundry as well.”
Negotiations on the exact funding from NSW Health are ongoing, as are options for the old buildings vacated by Lourdes.
The architectural firm will now start four to six weeks of consultation with user groups, clinicians and community members before drawing up the detailed plans.
“We need to ensure we have the correct spatial requirements, make sure the design is something we can afford,” Ms Biviano said.
There’s no thought of increasing the services Lourdes offers, she said.
“The plans will be based on current services,” she said. “We will have a detailed plan for the development application and then tender the plans for construction.”
Greater Western Area Health Service chief executive Claire Blizard welcomed the news.
“Our partnership with Catholic Healthcare and Lourdes to provide a care range of community-based services for Dubbo and surrounding communities is vital - the redevelopment of Lourdes will see these services delivered from purpose built facilities.”
lynton.grace@ruralpress.com
