West Moreton Health will soon provide more care to local residents as projects continue to roll out on time and on budget as part of the Master Plan for the Ipswich Health precinct.

West Moreton Health Chief Executive Dr Kerrie Freeman said project teams were working hard to ready the next series of projects being delivered under Stage 1 of the Master Plan.

The $146.3million first stage of the Master Plan consists of Ipswich Hospital’s new MRI suite, construction of an Acute Mental Health Unit on Chelmsford Avenue, and a new 26-bed ward and improved outpatient area inside the hospital.

The business case for Stage 2 of the Master Plan is underway.

“We have seen significant activity on our Master Plan projects, which includes refurbishments at the Ipswich Hospital Tower Block and creation of space for another 26 beds in Ward 6D,” Dr Freeman said. 

“Queensland construction firm Paynters has been appointed to build the new ward, and Ipswich company CPM (Construction Project Management) have been awarded the roles of superintendent and superintendent’s representative for the project.”

“Together, they will work to build the first new ward in Ipswich Hospital in six years. It will help meet a rapid growth in demand and will mean more patients from the region can be treated closer to home.”  

Ipswich Hospital will remain fully functional throughout the construction of the Acute Mental Health Unit and Ward 6D. Some services at Ipswich Hospital will be relocated to allow the construction and refurbishment to happen with minimal disruption.

West Moreton Health Board Chair Michael Willis said the new Acute Mental Health Unit would be built across the road from Ipswich Hospital’s emergency department and would reflect contemporary principles of best-practice care.

“While our Stage 1 projects are being built, West Moreton Health is already working on the business case for Stage 2 of the Ipswich Health Precinct.”

It considers building design options as well as new and emerging ways to deliver health services to the community both in and out of hospital.

Mr Willis said this careful planning will ensure West Moreton Health has the infrastructure required to continue to meet the current and future health needs of the region.

“Overall, these projects will deliver more health care closer to home for the people of West Moreton while supporting the local economy through the creation of more than 400 jobs throughout construction.”   

For more information on the West Moreton Health Master Plan, visit www.westmoreton.health.qld.gov.au/MasterPlan