Canberra Hospital main entrance pavers. Photo: ACT Government.
The ACT Government says it will continue to “monitor the situation” after complaints have surfaced on social media about a trip hazard right on the new Canberra Hospital’s doorstep.
The Critical Services Building (Building 5) officially opened in August 2024, but nearly a year on, some patients claim they’re in for a challenge as soon as they walk out the front doors.
In a recent post to the Canberra Notice Board Group on Facebook, Tricia Silk complained about how the new slightly raised pavers are nearly causing people to trip over.
“Who had the clever idea to go for a cobblestone effect outside the accident and emergency department of the Canberra Hospital?” she wrote.
“I walked in, quite ill and nearly face planted the ground as it kept tripping me. The care inside was amazing, but it doesn’t make sense to try to injure your patients even more to enter the building.”
The post received more than 250 reactions and nearly 60 comments – most supportive of Ms Silk’s case.
“Watched a young fella come out with a new acquired ankle plaster and crutches. Almost immediately broke the other ankle after a crutch got caught on the path,” one read.
“Totally agree. I had to go there when I broke my ankle and trying to push the wheelchair through was not easy for the poor hospital staff worker who was trying to help me,” another said.
“Try navigating this with a loved one who is vision impaired – just a diabolical nightmare,” wrote one.
“I had to use a knee scooter as I had a moon boot on and I was really put off by the walk way. Felt I was going to fall a few times. Really not a good idea.”
Canberra Hospital main entrance. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Another commenter likened it to the hospital’s own version of Netflix horror show Squid Game, where “if you make it past the cobblestones, you’re onto the next round”.
It wasn’t all negative, however, with one recounting how she had escorted her “frail, shuffling father in there” and “he didn’t complain … only commented on what an improvement it was”.
Many commenters suggested a formal complaint be lodged via the government’s online maintenance request portal, Fix My Street.
In response to questions from Region, the ACT Government said the new building entrance “meets all design and operation standards”, including Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) certification.
“Accessibility was a key consideration throughout the design and delivery of the Canberra Hospital Expansion, including through significant consumer engagement,” the spokesperson said.
“The accessibility and compliance of footpaths to statutory guidelines was included as part of a comprehensive access review conducted by an accessibility consultant to support the development application for the Canberra Hospital Expansion.”
No Fix My Street reports have been received about the pavers, but Infrastructure Canberra, the government agency in charge of the territory’s large building projects, has received one complaint since the new hospital opened.
“Canberra Health Services will continue to monitor this issue,” the spokesperson said.
