RHH staff will get an early look at the layout of rooms and finishes in K-Block with several prototype rooms available for viewing.

The prototype rooms have been built for several spaces: a neonatal intensive care room and a two bed room with maternity and general ward bed heads and ensuite; and a clean utility room.

Clinical staff who will be located in K-Block will be able to visit at scheduled sessions starting from Monday, 23 July 2018.

Additional sessions are scheduled the week commencing Monday, 30 July 2018 for more RHH staff to also have a preview.

Prototype room visits are just the start of the extensive process required to prepare staff for the move to K-Block.

K-Block prototypes have been constructed so clinical staff can familiarise themselves with the contemporary, fit-for-purpose patient spaces in the $689 million RHH Redevelopment.

A number of preliminary visits have already occurred with terrific feedback to date.

The substantial increase in space that will be available to patients and staff in the new neonatal and paediatric intensive care (NPICU) unit on level 8 of K-Block is outstanding.

The service is currently provided in a significantly limited physical, shared space within the RHH.

Currently, new mothers with babies in neonates need screens so they can breastfeed privately. In K-Block, they will have privacy for their family in their own rooms.

Modern joinery will help make the maternity wards more homelike with medical gases and powerpoints enclosed in cupboards for use only when clinically necessary.

Spacious ensuites have been reviewed by infection control staff to ensure they are fit-for-purpose for patients with a variety of clinical needs.

New clean utility spaces will have substantial storage space and modern security measures for inpatient pharmaceutical management.

K-Block has been designed using the Australian Health Facilities Guidelines.

RHH staff have also been integral to shaping the Redevelopment including the initial design development, input into the Rescue Taskforce investigation, the design of the new wards constructed to decant B-Block and the reconfirmation of the K-Block design.

K-Block is scheduled for practical completion mid-August 2019 and will be followed by operational commissioning that will deliver the safe, efficient and planned move of patients and staff into K-Block.

Concrete pours for the plant room on Level 11, the top of K-Block, are nearing completion.

27 Jul 2018