MIDLAND’S new hospital is just five months away from accepting its first patients and today marked the end of the project’s construction phase.
The milestone means St John of God Health Care can get on with moving into the building and prepare for the opening on November 24.
St John of God’s northern hospitals director Lachlan Henderson said the commissioning work was underway and soon about 1000 staff would become familiar with the facility.
“During the next five months, leading up to when we welcome our first patients, we will go through the commissioning process, which includes orientating caregivers and installing and testing clinical equipment,” he said.
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READ NOWThe $360 million hospital started construction in August 2012 and will replace the ageing Swan Districts Hospital.
Health Minister Kim Hames said the completion of the project on time and on budget was a sign of a successful partnership and he was pleased to hand the key to St John of God Health Care to begin clinical commissioning of the hospital.
“It’s terrific to see the progress of the hospital and what a significant addition it will be to Midland and the surrounding area, which hasn’t had a new hospital in 50 years,” he said.