ANDREW Barr and Simon Corbell say that Brookfield Multiplex has been chosen as the Head Contractor for $139 million University of Canberra Public Hospital project.

“Brookfield Multiplex will design and construct the new hospital and its partner company Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions will maintain the completed facility for the 25 years,” Andrew said.

“The hospital will be a teaching hospital and will continue the ACT’s integration of clinical and teaching environments for the benefit of our current and future health care providers.”

Simon Corbell said the selection of a head contractor will now allow this important infrastructure project to move quickly into its construction phase next year.

“When construction is complete and the hospital is operational in 2018 it will provide capacity for 140 overnight beds, 75 day spaces for admitted patients as well as additional outpatient services,” Simon said.

“This will allow for the first time for a dedicated facility for sub acute services including rehabilitation and mental health services, that will improve the quality of care while also taking pressure off our major hospitals, allowing them to focus on acute services like emergency treatment and other surgery.”

Brookfield Multiplex’s final design, developed in consultation with ACT Health, was also revealed today.

“We have taken on board the valuable feedback received from the reference design consultation, and the final design includes convenient underground parking to reduce travel time for staff and patients,” Mr Corbell said.

“The facade has also been simplified to allow for simpler cleaning and maintenance, reducing whole-of-life costs for the facility.”

Brookfield Multiplex has significant experience in health sector construction projects, delivering the $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth and a $385 million clinical research and education hub at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown Campus, the recently completed South East Regional Hospital in Bega, due to open in early 2016. Brookfield Multiplex and Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions have also worked together on a number of similar projects, including Casey Hospital and La Trobe Hospital in Victoria.

Regional Managing Director of Brookfield Multiplex David Ghannoum said, “We are delighted to be working with ACT Health on this important project which will help to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Canberra. We know that when delivered well, healthcare facilities can create far reaching benefits for entire communities and we are looking forward to becoming active members of the local community in the coming years.”

University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker said this is an exciting step in the delivery of the new hospital.

“This state-of-the art facility will consolidate our city and the Territory’s own university as a centre of excellence in teaching, training and research in health across the board and will increase the capacity of our campus to serve the community.”

The University of Canberra Public Hospital will be focused entirely on sub-acute services, such as rehabilitation and mental health services. It will provide inpatient and day services as well as a hydrotherapy pool. The hospital will also be a teaching facility, allowing for valuable practical training and greater teaching and research opportunities between the University of Canberra and ACT Health.

Construction is due to start in early 2016.