Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, Hunter New England Health Tablelands Sector General Manager Wendy Mulligan and Armidale Hospital’s Nursing Unit Manager Maternity and Paediatrics Cherie Hunter in the soon-to-be-upgrade paediatric unit yesterday.
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
SICK children at the Armidale Rural Referral Hospital will benefit from a $250,000 investment in new and improved play areas as part of an initiative to make hospital stays easier for the region’s youngest locals.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall visited the paediatric unit at the hospital yesterday to make the funding announcement and said it would be used to make a hospital stay for children and their families a little less stressful.
“We know that a hospital environment plays an important role in the wellbeing of children and their families,” Mr Marshall said.
“We want to support families, especially in times of need and we hope this investment will help brighten the days of sick children and their families.
“It’s also great for our clinical staff to share in planning for these new enhancements and working in an improved environment to deliver the very best healthcare to their young patients.
“Having children in hospital is a stressful time for families and we want to make Armidale Hospital as warm and welcoming, while at the same time first class medical attention.”
Armidale is one of eight NSW hospitals to receive a share of $2 million from the NSW Government to upgrade their paediatric units.
The funding will be spent to:
• Make the paediatric unit more secure for patients and staff;
• Refurbish the enclosed outdoor play area;
• Refurbish the bathroom, including a new height adjustable bath and installing a baby change table;
• Improve furniture and fit out of the consulting room;
• Design and decorate six bedrooms; and
• Install fold-out single sofa beds in each of the bedrooms.
Mr Marshall said the works would get underway soon and be completed in early 2019.