Work is under way to assess and start repairing damage at Mount Isa Hospital caused by a freak wind storm late Tuesday afternoon.
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The storm tore about 1000 square metres of roof from the top of the hospital’s Block C. Debris also damaged parts of the side and roof of the adjoining Block B.
“Thankfully, no one was injured, for which we are very grateful,’’ North West Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Ms Lisa Davies Jones said.
Thankfully, no one was injured
- Lisa Davies Jones
Ms Davies Jones said there had been some water damage to a section of the operating theatre and the children’s ward in Block B as a result of the debris blown from Block C, the oldest of the hospital’s four blocks.
“We have put a temporary water-proof fix while we complete a full assessment of the damage and undertake permanent repairs.
Ms Davies Jones said that despite the damage, the normal activities of the theatre and children’s ward had not been affected.
“Over at Block C, the area affected by the roof damage is all office space and we are relocating the 10 administrative staff who work there to other areas of the hospital,” she said.
“We are bringing in a large crane to help us remove debris and assess the full extent of the damage so we can start planning for the permanent repair work that will be necessary.”
Ms Davies Jones said that in the meantime, the hospital was continuing to operate as normal and she assured residents of Mount Isa and the North West that none of our clinical services had been affected.
“Our key priority is always the safety of our patients, staff and visitors,” she said.
“We have not needed to transfer any of our inpatients elsewhere and we are continuing to care for them as normal.
“Once repairs start, we will endeavour to minimise disruptions as we carry out the work.’’
Ms Davies Jones said she would like to thank hospital staff and Mount Isa emergency services personnel who sprang into action late yesterday to deal with the storm damage.
“It was an excellent response by everyone involved,’’ she said.
“We even had off-duty staff turn up to see if they could help out, along with support from the local community and offers of assistance from local businesses such as Atull Plumbing and Drainage, Clancy Corporation and Too Easy.”
