The best Women's and Children's Hospital

Canberrans will have access to the best facilities for women's and children's healthcare once the new Women's and Children's Hospital opens mid year, the Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said today.

Responding to constant negativity about the project from the Canberra Liberals, the Chief Minister has confirmed that every increase to the project both in scope and budget has been approved by the Legislative Assembly.

"The cost of the hospital project has been clearly identified in our budget - a budget that has been debated by the Legislative Assembly in great detail and passed by the Assembly. This information is readily available to the public and able to be scrutinised in the Budget Estimates process," the Chief Minister said.

"We have kept the community updated about the project design and scope every step of the way," the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister said the project's budget had largely increased due to additional new features being included in the design with each additional appropriation of funding having been approved by the Assembly.

"Those additional features include providing 80% single rooms, higher environmental standards and the latest information and communications technologies. This revised scope was announced in 2009. Further appropriations were made in subsequent budgets to include additional features such as a paediatrics burns bath.

"It is also absolutely incorrect for the Canberra Liberals to say that the Government will be opening "half a hospital". It is irresponsible of them to be peddling such mistruths - but no surprise - as it fits in with their constant negativity and refusal to seriously engage on health reform," the Chief Minister said.

The new building under construction will open mid year as a fully functional Women's and Children's Hospital. Stage 2 of the project, to be completed early next year, simply involves refurbishing the old building, which will then be used by services currently located in the tower block as that part of the hospital is refurbished.

This new three storey hospital and refurbished area will be a state of the art facility that will provide more beds; an increased number of ambulatory care (outpatient consult rooms) and day stay beds; clinical office space; education and training facilities; and family accommodation.

"There will also be increased capacity for paediatric wards; and a new neonatal intensive care unit for our city's smallest and most vulnerable babies," the Chief Minister said.

"We are also increasing our birthing rooms, and have redesigned the concept for the rooms to allow for more consistency and comfort in labour, birthing and post natal recovery. This is in addition to increased scope of facilities for the birthing centre. This facility will also include a playground, cafe and landscaped spaces.

"Significant work has gone into ensuring we have the best design of this new facility, so that we can be sure that we are ready for the future health needs of our region. I believe that most in our community understand that a hospital such as this will deliver superior services to Canberra's women and children in a contemporary new facility.

"Clearly the Canberra Liberals don't support this fantastic new facility for Canberra families. I disagree. If building the best facilities for women, babies and children requires us to refocus and increase the scope and adjust the budget accordingly so that we can deliver the best results, then I make no apology for this," the Chief Minister concluded.

Statement Ends