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Deputy Premier and Minister for Health The Honourable Paul Lucas

Thursday, January 28, 2010

APPOINTMENT OF QUEENSLAND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL MANAGING CONTRACTOR.

Source: www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/statementsearch.aspx

The $1.2 billion Queensland Children’s Hospital moved one step closer to reality today with the appointment of Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd as the project’s managing contractor.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said Abigroup would manage construction of the Queensland Children’s Hospital, which will combine the Royal and Mater children’s hospitals into one facility at South Brisbane in 2014.

“The new $1.2 billion Queensland Children’s Hospital represents the largest capital investment in children’s health services in this State’s history,” Mr Lucas said.

“The Bligh Government is committed to enhancing children’s health services and the Queensland Children’s Hospital will play a critical role in these efforts in delivering a major tertiary hospital for the State’s sickest children.

“For more than two years staff from the Royal and Mater children’s hospitals, families and young people have been working with building experts to plan and design a hospital that will meet the needs of our growing population.

“The Queensland Children’s Hospital will be large enough to bring together the staff and clinical services of both children’s hospitals into one location.

“The new hospital will have 359 beds - 71 more than the combined total now at the Mater and Royal children’s, along with new obesity, pain and allergy clinics and a new renal treatment centre,” he said.

Work to prepare the site of the new Queensland Children’s Hospital commenced in early 2009.

This year construction will focus on a four-level basement car park which will eventually provide families and patients with direct access into the hospital building.

The new Queensland Children’s Hospital is just one part of the State Government’s plan to expand children’s health services.

Over the next four years children’s health services will be expanded right across South East Queensland, with the Bligh Government spending more than $100 million so families can access care as close to home as possible.

Children’s health services at Ipswich, Logan, Caboolture, Redland and Redcliffe hospitals will be expanded.

In 2012 a new children’s emergency department will also open at The Prince Charles Hospital, with 12 emergency treatment spaces, 20 beds for short stays and additional children’s outpatient services.

“The new Queensland Children’s Hospital when it opens in 2014 will be at the centre of an enhanced statewide network of children’s health services that will benefit future generations of Queensland kids,” Mr Lucas said.

Ends.

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