Healthy project: Turning the first sod for the official start of work on the Mater Private Hospital Springfield are (from left) Radiation Oncology Queensland chief executive officer Mark Middleton, Mater Private Hospitals executive officer Don Murray, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Springfield Land Corporation chairman Maha Sinnathamby and Springfield parish priest Fr Mauro Conte.
IT was all hands to the shovel for the turning of the first sod for the official start of work on the Mater Private Hospital Springfield.
Stakeholders including Springfield Land Corporation, Ipswich City Council and Radiation Oncology Queensland joined Mater representatives for the milestone occasion.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane performed a blessing at the ground-breaking event on October 17.
The 80-bed, $85 million new hospital is being built at Springfield Central within Health City.
The facility will include theatre space, inpatient wards, a day-surgery unit and a cancer care centre, initially with a linear accelerator and 15 medical oncology treatment bays, to be further developed in a partnership between Mater and Radiation Oncology Queensland.
Mater Private Hospitals executive director Don Murray said the turning of the first sod was a milestone for Mater and the Greater Springfield community.
“It marks an exciting journey for Mater and its commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of this growing community,” he said.
“Stage one will provide a range of medical and surgical services, and other specialities are being considered for the future development of the hospital.
“The hospital will be responsive to the community’s health needs and will provide accountable, holistic care that promotes wellness, prevention of illness in addition to exceptional acute and sub-acute care and treatment.”
Construction work on Mater Private Hospital Springfield starts in January next year with completion expected at the end of 2015.
