Children and their families attending the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department will have access to dedicated paediatric treatment and waiting areas from tomorrow.
ACT Health Minister Simon Corbell opened the facilities this morning, saying they would improve care of younger patients by providing a separate area with six patient beds, two consultation rooms and a private sub-waiting area separate to the emergency department’s main waiting area.
“We understand that presenting to the emergency department can be quite distressing when you’re unwell, and this experience is compounded sick children or teenager and their parents and carers,” Mr Corbell said.
“Parents and carers will have their own space where there is also a play area for younger patients and their siblings, a beverage bay for refreshments and toilet facilities with change tables, so parents and carers won’t have the need to leave the area until their child is discharged.”
The paediatric facilities are part of Stage 2 of the $23 million Canberra Hospital Emergency Department expansion, which was partially funded through a $5 million contribution from the Australian Government. Stage 1 of the expansion was officially opened by Minister Corbell in January this year.
“The expansion to the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department will increase capacity by 30 per cent, from 54 to 75 treatment spaces,” Mr Corbell said.
The expansion was part of the more than $900 million Health Infrastructure Program, which had delivered other facilities such as the Capital Region Cancer Centre, Gungahlin Community Health Centre and the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.
Picture at top of Simon Corbell and Meegan Fitzharris at the opening of the new facilities supplied by Mr Corbell’s office.
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