PLANNING work on a specialised satellite renal dialysis unit at Cooma District Hospital has continued into the new year, with the committee overseeing the project meeting again last Thursday. It heard that floor plans for the new facility were being finalised.
The new unit, comprising four chairs, with an expansion opportunity for an additional four chairs, will allow Cooma district patients to receive care closer to home without having to travel to Canberra for what can be exhausting treatment. Some $1 million funding has been allocated for the current financial year.
It is anticipated that the new unit will be completed by the middle of 2013, followed by a training period before patients can start to use the facility.
The unit will be located in the existing staff dining area at Cooma Hospital, with the staff dining area moved to the current self-care dialysis unit. Those patients undertaking self-care dialysis will be able to continue during planning and construction before transferring to the new unit
The Planning Committee includes community representatives, clinical staff, renal specialists, hospital management, along with Health District Asset Management and Planning staff. Morrison Design Partnership has been appointed as architects and contract administrators.
