The proposed $9.6 million upgrade will combine the paediatric mental health and paediatric inpatient units and will be ‘value for money’, a committee has heard.

The ward would be renamed the paediatric inpatient unit. 

LGH’s nursing director Janette Tonks said the upgrades were substantial and will see beds increase from 28 to 36. 

“The current Ward 4K does not meet Australian standards. The rooms are small, [and] bathroom facilities do not comply,” Ms Tonks said. 

The proposed redesign will include two pods to cater for the varying age groups that visit the paediatric ward and six dedicated beds for adolescent mental health patients, with more space available if it was required.

A breakout room for parents will also be incorporated in the design, with sleeping facilities included in patient rooms to allow parents to sleep beside their children. 

“I think it is important to have something a little bit nicer for parents than what we currently offer. At the moment it’s a little bit clinical,” she said. 

Each room will have an ensuite and the new ward will have a large, central bathroom that is wheelchair accessible.

Ms Tonks told the committee the LGH was a teaching hospital with the new design including facilities for teleconferences and training medical and nursing students. 

The paediatric ward was relocated to its current location in 1996 and has had “very minor” infrastructure upgrades since then. 

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At a parliamentary hearing, held on Thursday, seven representatives from the redevelopment fronted the committee.  Committee member Lyons Liberal MHA Mark Shelton asked how many parking spaces the hospital would lose from the redevelopment, with about 15 parking spaces to be lost. 

“As a Northerner, the LGH is ‘our’ hospital … parking has always been an issue,” he said. 

"My grandchildren have all been born at the LGH. We haven't ever spent time in the childrens ward, but I understand the need for this facility.”

The committee will now deliberate the evidence the witnesses gave and prepare a report to be tabled in parliament.