From today the obstetrics and gynaecology clinic and renal unit will operate from purpose-built demountables within the hospital grounds to make way for the demolition of the older buildings to begin next month.

The new renal unit building is opposite the emergency department entrance, while the obstetrics and gynaecology clinic is located in Moffitt House, next to community health.

Services will continue as normal from the temporary locations as the new hospital building is built over the next two years.

“Extensive planning has been done to ensure our staff have everything they need in their temporary facilities to continue providing the same level of quality care to our patients while the redevelopment continues,” redevelopment co-ordinator Ricki Bradbery said.

“In fact, there’s more space and up-to-date amenities available in the new buildings compared to the old services we’re preparing to demolish, so we’re confident patients and staff will be comfortable in the temporary buildings.”

Renal nursing unit manager Mary Allen said they were excited to move into their temporary home for about the next three years.

“It has taken months of planning and we only have one day to move in because we’re open six-days-a-week, and we need to be ready to open at 6am,” she said.

Mrs Allen said the temporary building was “really lovely” and was an improvement in patient care and comfort with more room to move around the patients meaning better access to the patients.

“The temporary building is about twice the size of the old building,” she said.

“It gives us the ability to provide patient care in a muchcleaner and roomy environment.”

The unit treats 11 patients at a time, with two shifts each day and is open from 6am to 10pm six days a week.

When they move to the new building after the hospital redevelopment, they will increase patient numbers by 30 per cent.