Hospital will be upgraded

Brisbane Waters Private Hospital will receive an upgrade now that its sale has been blocked by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, according to new general manager Ms Pam Morphett.

"Unfortunately it's long overdue, and as we were in the process of being sold, plans were put on hold," Ms Morphett said.

"Staff are excited to see progress in the hospital and security with the Healthscope ownership continued," Ms Morphett said.

The upgrade work will start during March.

Ms Morphett said the upgrade would involve a major refurbishment of the day procedures unit and cardiothoracic ward.

This would involve "increasing the size of the day procedure unit and the look of the cardiac unit and overall hospital aesthetics".

"The company is committed to creating a nicer environment for patients, visitors and staff."

Ms Morphett said that refurbishment would cost around $800,000 and was expected to be completed around early May.

"During this time there will be no disruption to hospital services," Ms Morphett said.

Other recent additions to the hospital have included the opening of a pathology lab in December, which Ms Morphett said had "sped up" the turnover time for pathology and patient diagnosis.

"We are now the only private hospital on the coast to have a fully-served laboratory," Ms Morphett said.

"We are an acute care hospital.

"We have an intensive care unit, and a 24-hour private chest pain emergency service.

"We can deal with pretty serious patient conditions such as cardiac disease."

Those wishing to register for the private chest pain emergency service can do so by contacting 4341 9522.

The hospital also recently commenced providing laparoscopy surgery or obesity keyhole surgery.

"We have got two prominent local surgeons performing a number of those cases weekly," Ms Morphett said.

Ms Morphett, who has been with the hospital for 11 years, was recently made the general manager.

"I've seen some great changes, and I look forward to (the hospital) growing in the next couple of years," Mr Morphett said.

Lyle Stone, 11 Jan 2007