The emergency department at Deniliquin Hospital is just weeks away from completion, according to a recent update on the project from the Deniliquin Local Health Advisory Committee.
The works started on May 30 this year.
While renovations are being undertaken, emergency has been relocated to the day surgery unit.
This is located just past the regular emergency department and signs are up to point the way.
Deniliquin LHAC chair Lourene Liebenberg said at this stage the work will be completed within the next three weeks.
“The building works are almost completed and the focus over the next few weeks will be on the delivery and installation of some clinical storage shelving, furniture and equipment, including new patient beds,” she said.
“It is expected that this will be completed in the next two to three weeks, then of course the massive task of relocating back to the new ED from the current temporary ED will follow.” The new emergency department will include two entrances to the department — one for patients and a separate entrance for ambulance officers with their patients.
Previously, all people accessing the service used the same entrance. This meant ambulance patients had to be brought into the department past people in the waiting room.
The new ED waiting area will afford patients more privacy, as will the intake process and triage areas.
There will be two private consult/triage rooms, as well as a separate paediatric treatment room.
“The new ED area looks fantastic,” Mrs Liebenberg said. “The upgraded ED reception area which patients will present to is completely separate and private from the waiting room.
"There is also a private triage/consultation room leading off the reception area.
“The whole area, which now has multiple bay areas, was completely gutted and realigned to ensure more effective use of space and work flow.“