THE NEW $73 million Macksville District Hospital will open tomorrow - but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the occasion will unfold with little fanfare.
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"COVID-19 restrictions at all of our health facilities are in place which means we are not able to invite media to the new hospital's opening," a spokesperson for the Mid North Coast Local Health District explained.
But local residents will be able to take a behind the scenes peek at the new facility by way of a virtual video tour of the hospital.
Services will move into the new hospital, which is located at 100 Darruya Rd, North Macksville, in a staged process that is expected to be completed by Friday.
Take the tour here:
The new hospital will provide increased capacity to meet the growing needs of the Nambucca Valley community.
Emergency Department, Maternity and Inpatient services will open at the new hospital from 8.30am tomorrow, while Community and Allied Health services will transfer to the new location on Thursday.
Current COVID-19 screening on arrival at the new hospital and visitor restrictions remain in place.
Take a look back at the old Macksville Hospital here.
How to reach the new hospital
Coming from the north: Take the highway off ramp and turn left at the roundabout onto Darruya Rd.
From the east: Continue along the old highway, turn right onto Old Coast Rd, then right at the roundabout onto Darruya Rd.
South from Macksville: Take the old highway, then after passing under the new highway, turn left onto Old Coast Rd, then right at the roundabout onto Darruya Rd.
Services and facilities in the new hospital
. Emergency Department
. Aboriginal Cultural space
. Perioperative (an operating theatre, procedure room and day procedure unit)
. Inpatient Services
- 28-bed acute inpatient unit
- 14-bed subacute unit
. Maternity Services (two birthing suites and four Tresillian residential rooms)
. Medical Imaging
. Pathology collection room
. Community Health
. Multi-faith area
. Nambucca Valley Cancer Support Group (NVCSG) meeting room
. Café (United Hospital Auxiliary).