State of the art Emergency Department opens at Mossman Hospital

COMMUNITY HEALTH

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Mossman Hospital's new emergency department will cater for an average of 38 presentations every day. Image supplied.


The recently completed $10.1 million upgrade of the Mossman Hospital is a case of moving with the times while still retaining its historic charm.

Built in the 1930s, the project team took care and time to protect the heritage of the historic building which has been the centre of medical care in Mossman for 91 years.
 

The historic opening attracted several high profile Queensland Health representatives headed by the Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath. Image supplied

 
It is the only Queensland public hospital designed with Spanish Mission style exteriors, a design that was popularised in Australia in the late 1920s. The iconic main entrance has been reopened as part of the work.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath today unveiled a modernised Emergency Department and significantly improved facilities for the local community.

“This work substantially enhances conditions for patients and staff and provides a more comfortable experience for patients and a smoother flow from the Emergency Department to the rest of the hospital.

“The refurbishment sees key improvements to the Emergency Department including: a new triage area, a new main administration area, a new patient waiting room, four stretcher bays, an additional four fast track treatment chairs, two new consultation rooms, two resuscitation bays, a dedicated plaster room, a dedicated eye exam room, a new patient shower and toilet and a purpose fit room for medical records,” she said.
 

 

Vital role in the Douglas community

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said that anyone who lives in Douglas Shire understands and absolutely appreciates the vital role that the Mossman Hospital plays in caring for our locals when they need it most.



“It gives real confidence to the region knowing that we have a state-of-the-art, modern emergency department to care for our community at these harrowing times.



“This building is often the first point of call when people are injured or get sick, and it is our amazing health staff who swing into action day after day for our community,” said Kerr.



Kerr said he would like to thank the State Government for not only investing in this $10 million upgrade, but protecting the heritage and historic beauty of our 91-year-old hospital.

“I would also like to thank the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service and their amazing staff for their unwavering dedication to our community.”

Director of Nursing Peter LeGriffon said the new Emergency Department design is improving Mossman Hospital’s ability to triage and treat emergency presentations.

“Our old Emergency Department was designed around twenty years ago when we had an average of 5 to 10 presentations to the Emergency Department a day - but now we are averaging 38 presentations per day,” Mr LeGriffon said.

“So, we were excited to see this work completed in early June. It gives our staff in the Emergency Department a lot more room to work and a well-designed workspace.

“Our patients have commented that it’s terrific to see the hospital modernising and moving with the times whilst still retaining its historic charm,” he said.

 

History of Mossman Hospital

Mossman District Hospital was built around 1930 by contractor JJ Riley for the Port Douglas Hospitals Board, and was opened on 23 August 1930 by James Kenny, the Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Cook.

It was constructed to plans prepared around 1925 by the Department of Public Works for a standard pavilion-type timber and galvanised iron hospital, and amended around 1928 by Cairns architects Hill and Taylor to incorporate evocative Spanish Mission style concrete facades.

When opened in 1930, the hospital comprised a main building with male and female wards, operating room, dispensary wing, outpatients wing, and kitchen wing; maternity ward; nurses' quarters; and medical superintendent's residence. The hospital was soon operating at capacity, a reflection of the growth of the Mossman district during the 1930s, and extensions were necessary within a few years.

Mossman District Hospital was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 12 June 2009 having satisfied the following criteria: The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history, and The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui (L) and Douglas Mayor Michael Kerr welcome the new department alongside the Health Minister (R). Image supplied.

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