Hervey Bay Hospital cranes in final piece to modular ward

Hervey Bay Hospital’s new modular medical ward is one step closer to completion after the last of 17 pre-fabricated building modules was craned in on Tuesday morning. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Hervey Bay Hospital’s new modular medical ward is one step closer to completion after the last of 17 pre-fabricated building modules was craned in on Tuesday morning.

The new wing of the hospital will add 24 beds to the general medical ward, while allowing an extra 60 full-time staff of health workers to be employed for the area.

Hospital staff and members of the press were invited to watch the final module drop into position by crane.

A crane drops in the final building module into the new ward, set for full operations by 2025.

“This modular ward is a state-of-the-art construction process and it has allowed us to keep the ward onsite and opening within a 12 month timeframe,” Stephen Bell, Executive Director for Allied Health Services, said.

“The new ward will provide us with the capacity to move people from the emergency department to a hospital bed, noting that Hervey Bay is one of the fastest growing regions in terms of demand for health services.”

A WBHHS spokesman said the modular ward would “complement the broader Hervey Bay Hospital expansion, which includes the fit out of the Emergency Department Building Level 2”.

This area will reportedly be converted into a 25-bed inpatient ward, a 10-bed intensive care unit, and a rooftop helipad.

The modular ward is made up of 17 pre-fabricated building modules will add 24 beds for the main hospital.

“The delivery and placement of these modular units marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Hervey Bay Hospital and the modular project,” WBHHS Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said.

“These initiatives will significantly improve the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive, world-class care and ensure the Fraser Coast community have access to the best possible healthcare, when they need it most.”

Rhys Adams, an employee at the hospital, said he had worked in modular wards before in Logan and was “incredibly confident” they would have similar success on the Fraser Coast.

Stephen Bell and Rhys Adams chat about how effective the new modular ward will be for the Fraser Coast health services.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said.

“I’m really excited to build a team of multi-disciplinary professionals and provide some really high-quality care for the people of the Fraser Coast.”

The new ward is expected to be opened and fully staffed in the first half of 2025.

Originally published as Hervey Bay Hospital cranes in final piece to modular ward