Plans revealed for new Wide Bay Private Day Hospital in Bundaberg

A local medical facility will expand its health services if a development application is given the green light from council. See what’s planned for the site.

A local medical facility could see its services to the community expand if a development application gets the green light from council.

A material change of use application for the current Wide Bay Centre for Digestive Diseases site on Takalvan St was lodged with Bundaberg Regional Council this week.

If approved, the facility would become a day hospital offering more than just the treatment of digestive diseases.

According to the proposal document, all works subject to the application would be for the inside of the building.

“Wide Bay Private Day Hospital would operate Monday to Friday 6:00-18:00 and Saturday 6:00-13:00,” the application says.

If approved the Wide Bay Private Day Hospital would allow for more than just the treatment of digestive diseases.

Stage one of the works would include upgrades to the front entry and reception area as well as 10 consult rooms.

“Eight of the nine consulting rooms would be occupied by four permanent and four visiting doctors and the ninth consulting room shared between one visiting dietitian and one visiting psychologist, both anticipated at eight hours per week,” the application says.

“While there are nine consulting rooms, 1/3 average occupancy is anticipated and maximum occupancy, at any one time, would be five practitioners and four administrative staff.”

Stage two would see former radiation bunkers transformed into two operating theatres.

The new Day Hospital will see two radiation bunkers transformed into operating theatres.

The application says operating capacity at any time would be two doctors with patients moving from the operating theatre to one of three recovery stretchers before being moved to one of six recovery chairs.

“A distinct day therapy area is also proposed for Stage 2 consisting of six bays attended by two staff,” the application says.

“The day therapy area is for patients receiving intravenous infusions while seated in a lounge chair, including for chemotherapy, iron infusions and blood transfusions.”

The Wide Bay Day Hospital would also be close in proximity to the Bundaberg Hospital, the Bundaberg Ambulance Station, as well as other health care services.