It’s been almost a decade in the planning and about a year under construction, but the new $72.8 million Parkes Hospital is now up and operating, with the first patient intake occurring this morning.
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Condobolin man Jason Worthington had the dubious honour of being the first patient to take up a bed after being transported from the old hospital.
(Jason has a habit of these types of milestones. In February 1975, he was the first baby born at the new Condobolin Hospital).
The records will show that at 8.45am, Tuesday, November 24, 2015, Jason was wheeled into the hospital by Mike Stead (Patient Transport Unit).
Following close behind was Mrs June Paddison accompanied by Escort Nurse Beverley Graham (Patient Transport Unit).
Jason has spent the past two months at the Parkes Health Service.
He acknowledged the wonderful care provided by the doctors and nursing staff.
“Everyone has been wonderful and I suppose if I have to be in hospital, it’s great to be part of this milestone, that of being the first patient transported from the old hospital into this brand new one,” he said.
“It’s something I’ll always remember, that’s for sure.”
Mrs Paddison said she was pleased to be in the new hospital.
“I was nearly first one through the doors,” she quipped.
“My room has lots of natural light and the nurses have placed me near the big window so I can look out on the garden which should be lovely when it all grows.
“But I must say that while it’s good to have a new hospital, I will always have lots of lovely memories about the old one,” Mrs Paddison said.
From 8am yesterday, all hospital services including Parkes Community and Allied Health, and Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services commenced treating patients in the new facility.
“Announcing the move day was an extremely exciting final milestone for the redevelopment of the Parkes Hospital, and followed an extensive commissioning period to ensure the new facility was ready to receive patients,” Liz Mitchell (Health Service Manager) said.
“Approximately 850 community members attended the public open day to preview the spacious and bright facility, and the feedback was extremely positive.”
Ms Mitchell said that once patients and staff have moved into the new building, the old Parkes Hospital site will be decommissioned and site fences installed for security and safety reasons.
“Health Infrastructure and Parkes Shire Council have been working closely together to determine the best use of the old hospital site, and an announcement about options for its future use will be made very soon,” she said.
The budget also includes $326,000 provided by the Centre for Oral Health to fund a third dental chair for the new hospital.
