Penshurst Health Service Opens Stage 1 of Redevelopment
December 17, 2009
A capacity crowd at the Penshurst Health Service Redevelopment Opening on Saturday afternoon saw for themselves the results of exceptional community fundraising efforts to support the first stage of an upgrade to facilities consisting of an extension of the living and dining area of the Nursing Home, development of a new external courtyard for residents and an upgrade to Rouse & Sturgeon bedrooms. The original living/dining area was designed for 10 residents and will now provide a more comfortable and spacious homely environment for the 17 residents currently living in the Home.
Western District Health Service Chief Executive Officer, Jim Fletcher thanked the Penshurst community for its unswerving support and generosity at the official opening of Stage 1 of the redevelopment.
Mr Fletcher “This is another great step forward for the continued provision of high quality services to the Penshurst community. It is the completion of the first step in a long journey to implement the proposed future Master Plan for Health Services at Penshurst over the next 7 to 10 years.”
“The overall $6 million Master Plan proposal was launched at the 50 year celebrations in October 2007, which celebrated the achievements of the past 50 years and set the scene for the next 50 years. This first stage is a small but very important step towards achieving the long term plan. “he said.
The future Stage 2 of the plan will include an upgrade of the current nursing home wing to increase the provision of ensuites and existing bedroom floor space to 14 square metres, a new activities area for Diversional Therapy and increased storage space for lifting equipment and wheelchairs. To facilitate the increased living space, ensuites and activity areas, a new six bed wing containing single rooms and ensuites will be built to provide a final configuration of 13 single rooms and two double rooms.
Whilst Stage 3 will include an upgrade of the acute hospital living area and support services, the relocation of one bedroom to facilitate observation from the nurses’ station, the provision of a new cool room and dry store for the kitchen, an upgraded loading dock and delivery area, consolidation of all administration and staff bases to one area, and an additional space for hairdressing, upgrade of treatment areas and bedrooms and increased internal and external storage and a workshop area.
Mr Fletcher said, “The Penshurst community has a long and proud history of supporting and financing capital developments for the Health Service and the completion of the first stage of the Master Plan is no exception.
Of the $600,000 required for the project, $560,000 was provided by fundraising activities and $40,000 from the State government. Once again this is an outstanding achievement by the community and Penshurst Health Service supporters.”
Member for Lowan, Mr Hugh Delahunty, officially opened the new upgrade praising the commitment of the health service and the community to the provision of high quality services to resident’s and patients.” This is a tremendous example of a rural community working for the community and I will be endeavouring to do what I can to advocate for Government funding for the future stages of the upgrade planned over the next 7 to 10 years” he said.
Photo caption:
Penshurst Health Service Manager/Director of Nursing, Damien Malone, Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty, Western District Chief Executive Officer, Jim Fletcher and Federal Member for Wannon, David Hawker celebrating the official opening of the Penshurst Health Service upgrades.