CairnsHospital

This ongoing project at the former Cairns Base Hospital has seen the extensive upgrade and redevelopment of the Emergency Department, a new 3 storey extension at the front of the hospital, PET Scanning facilities, Medical Imaging Department and Ambulance Bays.

Over a staged process, the structured decanting programme required Hutchinson Builders to demolish the existing structural steel frames, block work and flooring in stages whilst the hospital was operational. The new works include piled foundations, concrete floor slabs, reinforced masonry walls and structural steel wall and roof framing with metal roof sheeting. The redevelopment work included the complete reconstruction and additions to the Emergency Department expanding it from 36 beds to 50. The existing facilities were temporarily relocated into the new building works during the reconstruction of each stage. These facilities were then decanted into the new reconstructed works.

Our approach enabled full operations to continue within the hospital with minimal disruption. Throughout the time that Hutchinson Builders was on the project, operations continued as normal due to our staged approach and by rerouting numerous existing services whilst keeping them live. The departments included Emergency, Mental Health, ICU, Theatres, Cath Lab, Medical Imaging, Mortuary and Pathology.

The original design included the use of precast external wall panels to the façade on the new 3 storey building. The use of these panels would have required the evacuation of adjoining areas within the existing hospital during the erection of the precast panels. We initiated the replacement of these panels with reinforced masonry walls which could proceed without the need for any evacuations.

Cairns Hospital - PET Scanner Service

2016 QMBA Awards Far North Queensland Health Facility up to $5M