$5million Biggenden staff accommodation completed
Qld Health is hoping new staff accommodation at the Biggenden Multipurpose Health Service will help recruit and retain more health professionals in the region. Check it out:
Central & North Burnett
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Healthcare staff at Biggenden Multipurpose Health Service are enjoying modern and more comfortable accommodation with the installation of 10 new self-contained units, a statement released by the Health Minister on Thursday said.
Each one-bedroom air-conditioned unit includes an ensuite, kitchen, living area and laundry and a small outdoor deck.
One also has an accessible design to cater to the needs of people with a disability.
The modular buildings were manufactured offsite in a factory in Brisbane. They were then delivered to Biggenden and craned into place in mid-September, enabling service connections and the final touches to be completed.
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Fleetwood Australia was appointed as the principal contractor to design and construct the project.
Graduate nurses and visiting health professionals were previously accommodated in ageing nurses’ quarters with single rooms and shared amenities.
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The nurses’ quarters had served the local healthcare workforce well for more than 75 years, but the building had deteriorated and was no longer fit for purpose, the Qld Health statement read.
“Our rural staff do a wonderful job amid circumstances that are often challenging, so it’s important we provide the best conditions for them and support them to deliver vital health services to Queenslanders,” Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said.
“We know that providing staff accommodation for healthcare workers choosing to move to rural and remote locations improves recruitment and retention.
Wide Bay Health Service chief executive Debbie Carroll said:
“Our new staff accommodation in Biggenden will go a long way toward helping to attract and retain vital healthcare workers to the area.
“Consistent with issues being experienced Australia wide, securing contemporary and suitable accommodation for our workforce continues to be a challenge for us.
“I have no doubt this project will improve quality of life for staff who are now enjoying the new accommodation and be a positive motivating factor for our future graduate nurses and health professionals choosing to relocate to Biggenden.
“Modular construction is also a first for Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service and we’ve been impressed by how quickly the project has come together.”
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