Start of RHH Forecourt Works

Construction of the temporary inpatient facility which is the “game-changer” in the rescued Royal Hobart Hospital will start on October 5, 2015.

The 54-bed capacity inpatient facility will be built in the RHH Liverpool Street forecourt.

Under the Hodgman Liberal Government’s plan, key acute services will be accommodated in the temporary facility during the redevelopment to the Royal and no patient will be decanted offsite. This is a major improvement on the previous government’s dangerous and incomplete plan to send acute care patients into inappropriate accommodation in the suburbs of Hobart.

From 5 October, the RHH Liverpool Street forecourt will become a construction zone and changes to access and parking are being put in place to ensure patient, staff and visitor safety.

Key changes are:

• Vehicle access to the forecourt area will be restricted to emergency services and contractors only;
• Safe pedestrian access to the Liverpool Street entrance will be through an enclosed central walkway; and
• Patient drop-off and collection will be available at the RHH Argyle Street and Campbell Street entrances.

Access to the RHH emergency department and Zouki café will remain the same.

Tasmanian company Fairbrother was recently announced as the successful sub-contractor for the $22 million facility. Starting October 5, Fairbrother will erect pedestrian barriers and install perimeter hoarding around the construction zone.

Public notices will be advertised in tomorrow’s newspapers.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health