A new GP clinic and pharmacy is the latest project to be announced by the Friendly Society Private Hospital, which is set for an exciting period of growth.
In order to continue to meet the health needs of the community, the hospital will modernise facilities and expand services through a new strategic plan developed with a theme of “being bold”.
The work will take place near the Bingera Street entrance to the hospital, and will free up space for a new Home Health Hub to support NDIS and DVA services and expand the popular Atrium Café.
Friendlies CEO Simone Finch said the draft strategic plan promoted courageous thinking.
“We are bold in our approach to considering new ways to tackle the challenges that we are faced with,” she said.
“The draft strategic plan envisages expanding service delivery to Gladstone, Childers, the Discovery Coast and Fraser Coast in collaboration with other health service providers.
“It also foreshadows establishing a new Emergency Department/General Practice/Pharmacy model that allows critical care patients to be triaged and assisted on arrival, with a focus on their specific needs.”
It’s proposed to build a larger pharmacy of 235 square metres on the outside edge of the current hospital that’s capable of servicing the growing hospital needs and local community requirements.
Additional car parking is included in the plans.
“Attached to this will be a GP clinic to treat patients and provide a streamlined discharge process, enabling beds to be utilised for new patients,” Ms Finch said.
“The existing pharmacy space will then be converted into a Home Health Hub to house all the home health equipment along with NDIS and Veterans services.
“Some of this space will also be utilised to expand the café food storage with a cold-room and freezer.”
The pharmacy is currently staffed by five pharmacists, seven dispense technicians and three shop assistants.
Ms Finch said a GP clinic would potentially provide residential aged care facility visits, chronic disease management, home care services, urgent care appointments, wound management, infusions and treatments, and weight loss management.
She said it would be delivered through an integrated GP-nurse-pharmacist model.
“Our bold vision is for The Friendlies to be a one-stop shop for people’s health and medical needs including emergency, GP services, pharmacy, allied health and specialist advice and treatment,” she said.
The Friendly Society Private Hospital, affectionately known as The Friendlies, has a proud, 75-year tradition of providing quality not-for-profit health care to the Bundaberg and Wide Bay community.
The annual report is available online here.
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