Noosa Hospital has received the go-ahead to occupy two demountable buildings following Noosa Council’s quick approval of the hospital’s application to use them as a temporary expansion of its emergency department and additional staff amenities.
Noosa Hospital’s director of emergency Dr Karl Van der Merwe said they put patient experience and safety at the centre of what they do.
“Due to a growing demand on our services, we have made the move to expand and offer a dedicated Fast Track clinical area. This is co-located next to the emergency department, run by our emergency department staff and will offer a streamlined pathway for appropriate patients to get rapid access to imaging and treatment.
“We hope that this will improve the service we offer to the community and make us more efficient to care for all patients that need our services: from minor injuries to the critically unwell.”
Dr Van der Merwe said many people have helped them get this project up and running.
“Anna Olson [chief executive officer Noosa Hospital Ramsay], Sam Dodd [operations executive manager Queensland, Ramsay] and Sandy Bolton MP.
“Special thanks to Mayor Clare and the team at Noosa Council who assisted us with progressing the application through the council process, as they realised the positive impact that this would have for the community of Noosa and for their ongoing support of what we do at Noosa Hospital,” he said.
Planning applications with a significant community benefit were prioritised last year as council staff worked through a high volume of applications.
Mayor Stewart said she is pleased council was able to help the Hospital achieve the desired result.
“Our planning team was able to assess the hospital’s application and provide approval in just 17 days to support the hospital with its plans to boost its operations,” she said.
Cr Stewart, who visited the hospital last week and toured the demountable buildings said she was incredibly impressed with the difference they will make to both patients and staff.
“It’s vital we do all that we can to assist our local hospital in providing temporary solutions to their growing expansion.
“Our hospital is at capacity and although as a council we can provide these necessary and important intermediate steps, increased investment from the State Government in this area is necessary and would be greatly welcomed,” Cr Stewart said.
