While walking through the historic front doors may feel like a step back in time, once inside the revamped Mossman Hospital Emergency Department, there is no mistaking it for anything other than a modern medical facility.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath toured the Mossman Hospital yesterday to inspect the nearly completed $10.1 million upgrade.

The upgrades are set to deliver a modernised Emergency Department and offer significantly improved health facilities to the local community.

After two years of construction, the new and improved Emergency Department is expected to open between May 6 and 10.

“I have just had the opportunity to tour through the new Emergency Department and see the amazing facilities, this is going to make such a difference to the quality-of-care services in this community,” Minister D’Ath said.

“They have more than doubled the Emergency Department bays, we have new resuscitation rooms as well, and there are also purpose-built administration facilities for the staff.

“We know when they have modern facilities like this it helps lift the morale of the staff. So, it is not just about the patients, it’s also about the staff who work in these facilities every day. And I want to say thank you to our health staff who have been doing an incredible job.

“The staff here at Mossman have been very patient, this is two years of construction and disruption to their hospital and their jobs, but it is all worth it when in a matter of weeks this is going to be open to the community,” the Minister said.

VIDEO | See video of the new Emergency Department below. Video: Karlie Brady.

While modernising the inside of the Emergency Department, the project has protected the heritage of the historic hospital which was built in 1930 and has been the centre of medical care in Mossman for 91 years.

“Mossman Hospital is the only Queensland public hospital designed with Spanish Mission style exteriors, a design that was popularised in Australia in the late 1920s,” the Minister said.

“The iconic main entrance has been reopened as part of the work.

“This work will substantially enhance conditions for patients and staff and provide a more comfortable experience for patients and a smoother flow from the Emergency Department to the rest of the hospital.”

The refurbishment sees key improvements to the Emergency Department including:

• a new triage area,
• a new main administration area,
• a new patient waiting room,
• four stretcher bays,
• an additional four fast track treatment chairs,
• two new consultation rooms,
• two resuscitation bays,
• a dedicated plaster room,
• a dedicated eye exam room,
• a new patient shower and toilet and
• a purpose fit room for medical records.
  
  

Nursing Manager, Ruth Crimmins, said it was a well-needed upgrade.

“We are doubling in size which will be great because our presentations to hospital have been going up year on year here and even with COVID it has certainly remained very busy for us.”

There are also significant improvements to the hospital’s air conditioning and water supply systems.

When asked if there were plans to bring birthing services back to Mossman in future hospital upgrades, the Minister said rural maternity services are currently in review.

“I am aware that that issue is being discussed and it is a part of the rural maternity services review. That is ongoing, it has been a bit delayed because of COVID, I believe that review is due to be completed at the end of this year,” she said.

Executive Director Rural and Remote Services Tracey Morgan added, “Mossman hasn’t been a birthing facility since the early 2000s, however all of our medical and nursing staff have been trained in imminent birthing and as the Minister has suggested the maternity task force review will be rolled out across the state and Mossman is a part of that.”

At least three women from the Douglas Shire gave birth on the side of the road en route to hospital last year, unable to make it to Mareeba or Cairns Hospitals in time.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the new Emergency Department design will improve Mossman Hospital’s ability to triage and treat emergency presentations.

“Our Emergency Department was designed around twenty years ago when it had an average of 5 to 10 presentations to the Emergency Department a day - but now we are averaging 38 presentations per day,” Ms Lui.

“There is also an improved patient drop off and pick up area and a new covered ambulance bay with direct access to the Emergency Department which will enhance patient transfer in all weather conditions.”

Ms Lui said the upgrade, built by Cairns-based contractor WIP Construction, employed 12 local apprentices during its construction period.

“Several local businesses have supplied architectural and engineering services, as well as tradespeople to support construction activities.”

“Eighty out of the 86 tradespeople and suppliers engaged on the project came from the local Cairns region,” she said.