Residents had their opportunity to tour Gunnedah Hospital’s latest facilities, creating a first look for the $53 million redevelopment.
The redevelopment has seen a new acute service building which is connected to the existing hospital. This is yet to be opened for operation, but is anticipated to soon be.
The major construction began in July 2024, with the first major concrete pour in October the same year.
Those who toured its newest health facility last week would have noted several new or updated facilities. Common reviews noticing the general layout, aesthetic of the environment and size of rooms.
The ambulance bay has moved with a separate entry to the emergency department for the general public. The arrival point and registration desk has been relocated but continues to face Anzac Parade while the ambulance bay along with staff only parking faces Reservoir Street.
The emergency space is now about double of what it once was, featuring light, modern colours and artworks.
Included in the emergency area is a safe assessment room for mental health presentation, which is a new addition to Gunnedah Hospital.
Signage also has a new element to it. Many signs have Aboriginal translations. Among them are the maternity unit with ‘Gunii-baa’, for ‘motherhood’ while the emergency department has ‘Baraa-baraay’, for ‘with haste’. This was made possible through a local language reference group, which helped translate into the Gamilaraay language.
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The birthing ward includes a bath, notably surrounded by the work of artist Monique Hope from Tamworth. It aimed to provide a sense of serenity and beauty into the birthing suite, inspired by the Namoi River.
The room is connected to the birthing courtyard, allowing labouring mothers to walk and be outside with privacy.
A feature of new rooms at the hospital are carer beds, which are designed to transform from couch to bed. This allows for those supporting patients to rest if needed.
Inpatient rooms are now a mix of double or single beds, with more space and privacy for people. The old building featured up to four beds in a room.
In the central courtyard is a memorial garden which may be added to. Some memorial plaques have been relocated here, including from the baby remembrance garden.
People can then continue their walk to the Chapel for a quiet moment of reflection, which is a part of the old hospital.
Many people who toured the hospital gave positive reviews, including two the Gunnedah Times spoke with.
Rodney Kay said the tour “opened [his] eyes right up” and now understood why construction took as long as it did.
“I actually thought that everything was good,” he said.
“The whole thing just blew me away.
“Compared to the old hospital, it’s just an amazing job what they’ve done and how it is going to impact everyone who works here.
“Even for the patients with the quality of their rooms, it’s so amazing.
“The amount of work that was put into the place, it was done with perfection.
“For this to happen here is absolutely fantastic.”
With a similar review was Sandy Cholson from Gunnedah, who thought it was all great.
“The room sizes are wonderful,” she noted.
“The facilities that are here, it’s all nice and clean and airy and light and bright.
“It doesn’t feel like a hospital at all with the artwork, I think it is great.
“It was really worthwhile doing. Hats off the [NSW Health] for running these events so people can see them.
“I’ve only ever been to the old emergency department and imaging. That’s all I’ve ever seen of the whole entire hospital, so it was nice to see the new part.
“As long as they get to use the maternity ward, that would be amazing for our local ladies.”
