Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made a surprise visit to the hospital this morning to make the announcement in the new Wonthaggi Hospital Expansion, which is due to open in early November.
The second stage will add two new 32-bed wards, a medical ward and a sub-acute ward, in a new three-four storey building with an outpatient and day therapy area (including a new dialysis centre) on the bottom and first floors.
All of this is in the current master plan but the plan will need to be revised by BCH and Victorian Health Building Authority in the months after the election if Labor is re-elected.
The stages will also involve a new Women’s Health Centre including a new labour and delivery complex with birthing suites that will enable more complex births to be performed at the hospital.
Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said plans are underway to expand maternity service capacity in the short term.
Stages two and three will also complete the radiology precinct started in the first stage of the WHE, refurbish allied health treatment spaces, administration buildings and training areas, and create extra car parking for staff, patients and visitors.
Ms Child said the funding announcement recognised the community’s needs.
“Our region’s population is growing and ageing, and there will continue to be greater demand for a broader range of health services in the future.
“It was amazing news for the community of Bass Coast and South Gippsland as it will enable more people to receive treatment closer to home, which has been the aim of our health service growing to become a fully-fledged sub-regional health service.”