The ward 4K upgrade and expansion at Launceston General Hospital is one step closure, with the plans approved and tenders expected to start coming in early December.
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An initial budget of $8 million was increased to $9.6 million in the final design, which will expand the size of the children’s ward by about one-third.
The state government released a computerised virtual tour of the planned new build on Friday, which showed the exterior of the ward and the internal layout.
Tenders for the building contract will open in early December, with a contractor expected to be announced early next year, Health Minister Michael Ferguson said.
The ward currently has 28 beds, which will expand to 29, but there will be capacity for a total of 36 beds, to “future proof” it.
Mr Ferguson met with staff and parents of young patients at LGH on Friday to view the plans.
“[This is] the first major upgrade of the paediatric ward since it was built more than 30 years ago,” he said.
“The project will see ward 4K upgraded and expanded to meet the clinical needs of acutely ill children as well as provide a much better environment for recovery.”
The new ward will include a purpose-built high dependency unit for acutely unwell patients, and a specialised adolescent and child mental health “pod”.
It will also include more single rooms and isolation areas for better infection control.
All rooms will have ensuite bathrooms, and families and visitors will be able to use a new lounge and kitchen area.
The ward is expected to be built by mid-2019.
