Media Release: Queen Mary Maternity Centre refurbishment
Media release
Monday 17th February 2020
Queen Mary Maternity Centre refurbishment set to begin
Work will begin soon on the refurbishment of the Queen Mary Maternity Centre (QMMC) Operating Theatre and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) at Dunedin Hospital.
The current Obstetric theatre was commissioned in its current location following a move to the second floor of Dunedin Hospital in 1990.
Currently, between 9 and 13 acute and elective caesareans are performed in the theatre each week, with approximately 6-7 of these occurring in regular hours.
Among many upgrades to the facility, the scope of the $1.6 million refurbishment project includes the removal of wall linings and services in the existing theatre to allow a full rebuild of the theatre to create improved patient flow and upgraded services.
Fiona Thompson, Charge Midwife Manager of the QMMC is excited for what the refurbishment will bring. “It’s going to be a big project with huge benefits for mothers and babies. There will inevitably be some noise and disruption as the project is underway, but it will all be worth it for the improvement in patient flow and services for new mothers.”
In order to be able to proceed with the project without impacting on elective and acute cases, and delivery in the main operating theatre, one of the original two Queen Mary theatres (now a clinical supplies room), will be upgraded and temporarily reinstated as an operating theatre.
Patrick Ng, Southern DHB Executive Director of Specialist Services, says he is delighted that the project is about to get underway. “The improvements to this theatre suite will ensure that it meets contemporary standards, new mothers are able to be cared for in a space that ensures privacy and dignity can be maintained, and the clinical teams will have a modern environment to work in.”
“Although we are building a new hospital, some aspects of improving the existing facilities cannot wait that long. The theatre needed to be upgraded and will still have several years of life ahead of it, and will make a real difference to those working in the space and women using the services.”
The project is set to get underway in the last week of February, and expected to be completed by the end of October this year.