PREMIER Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Jill Hennessy visited Wonthaggi Hospital today to announce a $115 million expansion of the hospital, including a redevelopment of the emergency department.
The project includes a new operating theatre, refurbishment of the two existing operating theatres, expansion of the emergency department and refurbishment of inpatient rooms.
Crucially, the redevelopment will be funded in next month’s budget, meaning it doesn’t depend on the result of the November state election.
Mr Andrew said the redevelopment was required to meet the needs of a growing community. Bass Coast Shire’s population is expected to grow 55 per cent by 2031, making it one of the highest growth areas in regional Victoria.
When complete, the hospital will have capacity to treat an extra 26,000 emergency patients a year. There will be 18 more treatment spaces within the emergency department, including an additional nine spaces for peak demand over the holiday period. A further 32 inpatient beds and four short stay beds will be refurbished.
The upgrade will also reduce the need to transfer critical patients to other hospitals, saving crucial time, reducing costs and ensuring patients can stay closer to their families.
To be completed by 2023, the redevelopment will boost the local economy by creating an extra 345 local jobs.
The latest Victorian Health Services performance data, released today, shows Wonthaggi Hospital has seen 4327 emergency department presentationsin the past quarter, up from 3982 a year earlier – representing a nine per cent increase.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for Bass Coast Health, which in April 2016 was facing a $3.5 million deficit, with dilapidated facilities and declining services at Wonthaggi Hospita.
Following the sudden resignation of both the CEO and the chairman of the board, Jan Child was co-opted by the Department of Health as chief executive and set about rebuilding the hospital’s fortunes.
August 13, 2016 Out of danger: How Wonthaggi Hospital recovered from near-death experience.
Crucially, the redevelopment will be funded in next month’s budget, meaning it doesn’t depend on the result of the November state election.
Mr Andrew said the redevelopment was required to meet the needs of a growing community. Bass Coast Shire’s population is expected to grow 55 per cent by 2031, making it one of the highest growth areas in regional Victoria.
When complete, the hospital will have capacity to treat an extra 26,000 emergency patients a year. There will be 18 more treatment spaces within the emergency department, including an additional nine spaces for peak demand over the holiday period. A further 32 inpatient beds and four short stay beds will be refurbished.
The upgrade will also reduce the need to transfer critical patients to other hospitals, saving crucial time, reducing costs and ensuring patients can stay closer to their families.
To be completed by 2023, the redevelopment will boost the local economy by creating an extra 345 local jobs.
The latest Victorian Health Services performance data, released today, shows Wonthaggi Hospital has seen 4327 emergency department presentationsin the past quarter, up from 3982 a year earlier – representing a nine per cent increase.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for Bass Coast Health, which in April 2016 was facing a $3.5 million deficit, with dilapidated facilities and declining services at Wonthaggi Hospita.
Following the sudden resignation of both the CEO and the chairman of the board, Jan Child was co-opted by the Department of Health as chief executive and set about rebuilding the hospital’s fortunes.
August 13, 2016 Out of danger: How Wonthaggi Hospital recovered from near-death experience.
Premier Daniel Andrew visited Wonthaggi Hospital to announce a $115 expansion and refurbishment.