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$115m expansion for Wonthaggi Hospital

27/4/2018

5 Comments

 
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.
Picture
Premier Daniel Andrew visited Wonthaggi Hospital to announce a $115 expansion and refurbishment.
5 Comments
James
27/4/2018 06:09:09 pm

Having spent quite a lot of time in hospitals in the last 10 years I have to say Wonnie is my favourite. I use the ER about once a year for a recurring illness and have always found the staff to be professional, caring and friendly compared to the overworked folks in big city ERs. And only a short walk on crutches to the car park where they don't charge you (pun intended) an arm and a leg to park your car overnight. I hope with these much needed funds they still retain their country hospital feel.

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Geoff Heyes
27/4/2018 06:15:47 pm

Thanks Catherine for being first again to tell us the news. Accurate and unbiased.Pity there’s not an election every year

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Michael Whelan
27/4/2018 07:22:54 pm

Great news. We have always had great people at the hospital now we will start to get the infrastructure to support them in their caring role.

Well done Jan, the Board and the BCH team and thank you to the first Government in decades to care about Wonthaggi and Bass Coast.

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Frank Schooneveldt
27/4/2018 10:10:15 pm

The important words from the Premier is that the Bass Coast is projected to grow by 55% by 2031 which is great.
The City of Bass Coast will be here a lot sooner than some people realise.
This is great news because we now need to rebuild a railway line back to Melbourne.
Think the City of Bass Coast and how are we going to get there,
Or what infrastructure do we need to match the growth. The Bass Coast Shire Council better get their act together to prepare for growth.
Cheers

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Don Gall
27/4/2018 11:26:39 pm

Wonderful news for the hospital. I have not lived in Wonthaggi for many years but have have been with my (recently deceased) mother at the hospital on a few of occasions in the past two years and was impressed with both the professionalism and empathy of the staff both in dealing with my mum and making my wife and I feel welcome. Keep up the great work.

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