Australian-first facility, Wishlist Centre, is another step closer to opening opposite the Sunshine Coast University Hospital to help patients and families facing a health crisis.
This week will be a big week at the Birtinya construction site as formworkers, scaffolders, concreters, blocklayers and a crane crew converge to complete Wishlist Centre’s level three suspended slab.
Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP, who secured a $12 million Federal Government grant for the build of Wishlist Centre, said this week was a milestone week for the vital health facility.
“I’ve been told by the Wishlist team that around 40 tradespeople will be onsite per day, representing up to a dozen trades, and the final 142 cubes of structural concrete will be completed in the next seven working days,” Mr Wallace said.
“This Centre is the missing piece in the puzzle to deliver a truly world-class health hub right here in our backyard and it will fill an urgent gap by providing affordable accommodation for patients of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) and their families. There will also be a low or no-cost GP service and cancer care services on the ground floor of Wishlist Centre.”
Stage One of Wishlist Centre is expected to open in July and will be Australia’s first facility to provide affordable patient accommodation, primary healthcare and complementary therapies under one roof.
Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said construction was in full swing with the roof expected to be installed in mid-March.
“We can’t wait for Wishlist Centre to open because we know how crucial that circle-of-care is, and how being close to a hospital during or after a medical crisis is critical to enhancing a patient’s wellbeing,” Ms Rowe said.
There is still time for locals and businesses to support the ambitious project and forever be recognised within Wishlist Centre.
“We are encouraging everyone to be part of the legacy and Donate a Virtual Brick – which is just $20 – and your name or the person you wish to honour will be acknowledged within Wishlist Centre.”
For more information or to Donate a Virtual Brick visit wishlist.org.au.
