THE first concrete slab was poured on Thursday at the South East Regional Hospital.
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Chief executive officer of the Southern NSW Local Health District Max Alexander was given a tour of the site by Brookfield Multiplex site project manager Allan Young, along with Kerry Abramowski and Derek Tabor from Bega Valley Health Service.
Dr Alexander got to fulfil the dream of every child faced with wet concrete and was given the opportunity to write his name in the slab.
Sixty cubic metres of concrete were poured for this first slab, which is the site of the South East Regional Hospital (SERH) renal unit.
“To see the site progressing like this is incredible,” Dr Alexander said.
“All the pre-work, which was substantial, is invisible to the public so to see this is brilliant.”
Dr Alexander was pleased to see the slab poured for SERH’s renal unit.
“It’s a good example of what this hospital will change for the community,” he said.
“The current renal unit at Bega Hospital is clinically first rate, but it is in extremely tight accommodation.
“This new unit will provide space between patients and makes the aim of providing comfort to the patient in what can be a highly stressful time achievable.
“This new unit is, like oncology, situated next to a car park which makes services more accessible to patients.”
The site was a hive of activity on Thursday, with 60 workmen now on site.
The place is like a mini-city with prefabricated buildings housing toilets and lunch, meeting and first aid rooms springing up since the SERH community day on March 28.
At the height of construction later in the year there will be an estimated 300 workers at the site.
Also touring the site on Thursday was Ms Abramowski, project change manager with Bega Valley Health Service and Mr Tabor, who as coordinator of furniture, fittings and equipment has the job of overseeing what goes into the $171.6million building.
Dr Alexander said work is on schedule for SERH, which is due to open in early 2016.
“This hospital brings a more thorough health service to the Bega Valley, a greater depth to current offerings in addition to new services,” he said.