Kitchen opening a new era

Breakfast was dished up for the last time out of the old kitchen – built in the 1930s and ’40s – while lunch was served from the new facility. 

Food service supervisor Carol Egan said it was an important first milestone for the $220 million redevelopment. 

“We’re really happy for it to be here finally. We’re so excited about the whole thing,” she said. 

She had been waiting for a new kitchen since she began work at the hospital 27 years ago. 

“It’s a good morale booster,” she said.

Tamworth hospital director of nursing Ricki Bradberry said opening the kitchen was a significant first step. 

“Nutrition is one of the most important factors of a person’s recovery,” she said. 

For the first time, staff used transport pods which keep food trays at the correct temperature – either cool or warm – until it reaches the patient. 

Health Share sector manager Brian Logan said the pods helped to eliminate the potential risk of infection.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said it was “gratifying” for staff to see the new kitchen up and running after more than two years of construction work. 

Other hospital support services, including linen stores and the courier service, will be relocated to the new hospital building this week. 

Construction will continue on the upper levels of the hospital into 2015, with the emergency department, intensive care unit and operating theatres expected to be moved into the new building in April or May next year.