Crofton Street works underway for Friendlies expansion

Plans for the Friendlies Society Private Hospital expansion is underway with construction underway in Crofton Street.

The work has closed the street to develop an access road plus additional parking and is set to be completed within the next four weeks.

CEO Simone Finch said it was the beginning a major Friendlies expansion to the hospital that would provide benefits to both patients and staff into the future.

“These works will allow us to be ready for expansion works in the future, works that will have a foundation in comprehensive business analysis before we start so that we know we can meet the current and future needs of the Bundaberg community,” she said.

To build the facility to meet those needs, Ms Finch said work had already started on the new location of The Friendlies Pharmacy at the hospital near the Bingera Street entrance.

“Having a larger space will allow us to service the community with an easy access pharmacy that offers additional services such as robot script dispensing, medication packing and an increased range of products,” Simone said.

“We will be consolidating our two pharmacies into this one larger facility.

“The Barolin Street pharmacy has recently been sold to a pharmacy group, who has worked collaboratively with us to ensure that all staff will retain their positions during the transition which will happen in August this year.

“The new business owner is a local and recognises the fantastic staff we have and is happy to offer the ongoing employment to our team.”

Ms Finch said the Friendlies expansion and new hospital pharmacy would allow for the growth and support of other services including Allied Health, NDIS, DVA and Home Health while improving the continuum of care with in-patient areas and the emergency department.

“Patients, their families and supports are our absolute focus in everything we do,” she said.

“My focus is to build on the strong foundation of The Friendlies, ensuring that everyone who needs our services and care feel like they belong while being treated to world class medical care.”

Find out more abut Friendly Society Private Hospital here.