LGH's ward 4K upgrade hearing date set

It will come after a public hearing on the proposed upgrade of ward 4K on August 31, held by a parliamentary committee on public works.

The committee called for submissions from interested individuals and organisations on Saturday, with a deadline of August 21.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the upgrade and expansion of the ward was still on track to be completed in 2019, as scheduled.

“Tenders for the construction work will be called for in October, with a successful builder appointed in December,” he said.

“Construction will start in January 2018 and is anticipated to take 15 months.

“The much-needed redevelopment of the paediatric ward will be the first major work on the area since it was built more than 30 years ago.

“The project will see ward 4K both upgraded and expanded, ensuring it is able to meet the clinical needs of acutely ill children as well as provide a much better environment for recovery.”

For the first time, the ward will have a purpose-built High Dependency Unit for acutely ill children.

There will also be additional space developed to enable staff to separate younger children and teenagers, with “facilities more appropriate for their care needs”.

“In line with our Rethink Mental Health plan, the upgrade will also incorporate specialist facilities for child and adolescent mental health patients for the first time to meet best practice.”

The redevelopment will also include more single rooms and isolation areas for better infection control.

Mr Ferguson said all the rooms would have ensuite bathrooms.

“​A family area with lounge and kitchen will provide a more home-like and welcoming environment for families and visitors, bearing in mind the enormous contribution that families make toward children's care,” he said.

The upgrade was initially announced in May last year.