EXPRESSIONS of interest will be called from qualified consultants to design the new northside sub-acute hospital, to be located on the University of Canberra campus.

The ACT Government announced in September that the hospital would offer range of rehabilitation services, such as neurological rehabilitation and older persons’ rehabilitation, as well as mental health services and day hospital services, such as hydrotherapy.

Its location will see it have close links with the University and research sector, with spaces allocated for teaching and research within the hospital itself.

Construction of the new northside sub-acute hospital will take 2 years beginning within 18 months of commencement of the design phase. $4 million has been allocated towards the planning and design of the hospital and final design will be subject to normal planning processes.

A call for Expressions of Interest for a Principal Consultant to design the facility will be advertised nationally April 2013. It is anticipated that preliminary sketch plans will be available in early 2014.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher recently visited two sub-acute hospitals in Victoria to see first-hand how modern sub-acute hospitals are designed, the facilities included and the models of care.

“The University of Canberra Public Hospital will deliver an innovative approach to health, education, training and research focusing on patient and professional outcomes,” Ms Gallagher says.

“At the same time it will increase bed capacity and enable sub-acute services to be provided in a purpose built, contemporary facility, without the pressure created by emergency and acute care needs.”

Community engagement and information about the progress of the facility will be ongoing during the life of the project.