From today, Forbes Hospital will be operating out of the brand new building with staff and patients to make the transition to the new facility this week.
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The hospital’s emergency department, main reception, medical imaging, maternity and inpatient units will now be operating out of the new building.
Hundreds of community members got a sneak peek at the brand new facility on Saturday during the public open day.
Tours were conducted from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, with a large number of community members taking the opportunity to view the new building before staff and patients moved in.
Lachlan Health Service manager Liz Mitchell said the open day went “brilliantly”.
“People were blown away, that’s the best way to describe it, at how brilliant it looks,” she said.
“The new CT scanner was a huge hit, so was the maternity unit, new birthing suites, the birthing baths, how open and fresh it looks.
“They never thought they’d have such an up-to-date hospital in Forbes.”
Before the open day community tours began, a traditional indigenous smoking ceremony was conducted by Ralph Naden, followed by a Welcome to Country led by Aileen Allen.
State Member for Orange Andrew Gee thanked hospital staff and Lachlan Health Council members for generously volunteering their time to escort the community through the hospital building on Saturday.
“The community tours provided a unique opportunity to look inside the contemporary and spacious new building before staff and patients move in,” Mr Gee said.
“It’s great that so many locals took the opportunity to look through our fabulous new facility. Feedback has been incredibly positive.”
Friends of Forbes Hospital Auxiliary would also like to thank the community for the $320 left in the donations box on Saturday.
The new building at Forbes Hospital features an emergency department, an inpatient unit, birthing suites for maternity services and clinical support services including medical imaging.
There are 19 single rooms, four double rooms and two birthing suites in the new facility, each with their own ensuite.
Once the hospital has moved in to the new building this week, refurbishment works will commence on the renal and ambulatory care units in the old building.
The Lachlan Health Service project is scheduled for completion in early 2016.
The new phone number for the main Forbes Hospital reception is 6850-7100.
