Minister begins works

HEALTH Minister Bronwyn Pike officially opened construction of the new $30 million Knox Health Care Facility last week.
Ms Pike turned the first sod on Monday, 20 March, signalling the start of construction of a facility that will house 30 palliative care beds plus another 30 geriatric rehabilitation beds.
In addition to the beds, the new development will include a community rehabilitation centre and will also house the Eastern Palliative Care Team (EPCT) which has been relocated from its Bayswater offices.
Ms Pike said the relocation of the EPCT would improve care at in-patient level and in-home based services.
“It will enable a smoother transition of patients from hospital to home and will mean better follow-up treatment and ongoing care once patients have left the clinic,” she said.
Bayswater MP Peter Lockwood said it was the first step in the creation of a world class health facility.
Earthmoving works are scheduled to begin shortly after Easter with the new clinic to be completed by November next year and fully operational in early 2008.