Disability Access News

The Ararat Advertiser
23/05/2008 8:45:00 AM

ARARAT - East Grampians Health Service has received $167,372 funding from the Department of Human Services to assist with improvements for accessibility, safety and comfort for older people using the health service.

The funding has been allocated in the 2007/08 financial year and is part of the one off funding of $3 million through the Improving Care for Older People, Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) Longer Stay Older Patients (LSOP) Initiative to support health services to improve the environment for older people.

In December 2007 East Grampians Health Service conducted an environmental audit and submitted 17 priority improvements and has been successful in getting funding approval for fourteen projects across the health service at both Ararat and Willaura.

Projects will get underway immediately and first up is to improve the access and safety at the main front entrance of the Ararat hospital. This will include the upgrade of pathways and entry, access for wheelchairs, widening of the front doors and increasing the time to get through the automatic doors.

These works will mean the temporary closure of the main entrance from Sunday May 25 through to Thursday May 29.

The general public will need to access a number of areas of the main hospital vicinity via the rear entrance of radiology and the pathology department.

Limited access will be available for patient admissions and those visiting patients, in addition to people with a disability, via the Cathcart Day Room which is adjacent to the main car parking area of the inpatient unit west wing.

Prominent signage will be in place to assist visitors to all areas affected.

Volunteers will also be available to guide patients and visitors.

Other projects coming up will include replacing signage across the health service, installation of handrails in both pathology and radiology passageways and improvement of access to radiology, installation of sound absorption material in some rooms in inpatient rooms, repair work on flooring at Garden View Court Hostel, purchase of chairs with arms for waiting rooms and the installation of perimeter fencing at Willaura.

All works are expected to be completed within six months and it is anticipated where possible works will be carried out in conjunction with local suppliers and tradespeople.

Commenting on the works, EGHS CEO John Davies apologised for the inconvenience caused during the works and acknowledged the significant on-going financial assistance of Government in improving access and services at East Grampians Health Service.