The new Northern Beaches Hospital is running three months ahead of schedule and will open its doors to patients on October 30 next year.
The opening of the $600m hospital in Frenchs Forest — which will cater for private and public patients — will coincide with the closure of Manly Hospital. While Mona Vale Hospital will become a rehabilitation and palliative care centre, with 24-hour walk in urgent care service.
NSW Health Minister and Wakehurst MP Brad Hazzard exclusively revealed to the Manly Daily this week the plan was to transfer patients to the new hospital over two days — October 30 and 31, 2018.
“At the moment the construction is three months ahead of schedule,” Mr Hazzard said.
“While that is great news I want to caution that it's a big job and things can go wrong, which could delay the opening. But so far, so good.”
Mr Hazzard promised residents who have had to put up with “unacceptable facilities” at Manly or Mona Vale will be wowed by the five- star facilities when the new hospital opens, with some rooms offering incredible views of the city, Middle Harbour and the beaches.
He said that although the staff at the current hospitals were first class the facilities were not and the new hospital had been a long time coming.
“I've been representing my constituents for 26 years and this is the most amazing outcome for the community I have seen or could hope for,” he said.
While there is still some way to go, the emergency and pediatrics departments have been built, along with 14 theatres, two cardiac cath laboratories with heart and artery diagnostic equipment, and four procedure rooms for minor investigations such as endoscopies.
The 50-bed emergency department and 41-bed recovery area have power points ready for the medical equipment. In some areas there's flooring and even paint — in muted beach colours — on the walls.
An attractive atrium, a centrepiece of the hospital, has also been completed.
Mr Hazzard said he was keen to reassure the public about the safety of the hospital's exterior cladding following the London tower fire earlier this year, after receiving numerous inquiries.
Anthony Armstrong, from CPB Contractors overseeing the build, said medical equipment would arrive early next year.
Healthscope, which is behind the project, said it soon be looking at recruiting the hospital's 1300 staff.
Source: The Daily Telegraph online and Manly Daily