$290m for hospital if re-elected

THE PREMIER has upped the stakes after announcing the Labor Government would fund the next critical stages of the Wonthaggi Hospital expansion at a cost of up to $290 million.

At a packed media stand up last week, Premier Daniel Andrews made the huge announcement much to the delight of Bass Coast Health (BCH). 

The government had funded $115m for the first stage of the hospital expansion, which is expected to be completed and handed over to BCH on November 9, this year. 

Stage one has seen the construction of the new three storey building, which adjoins the current site.

The ground level features the main entrance to the health service, with the emergency department, short stay unit, front of house (reception) and radiology.

Level two contains theatres and recovery, day of surgery admissions, elective surgery admission unit, and central sterilising and supply department. 

While Level three will be the surgical ward.

Stage two and three funding, between $250 to $290m, would see two new wards with up to 64 beds for patients; one will be a medical ward and the second will be a sub-acute ward. 

These will be built in a new building adjacent to the hospital expansion, and will be a three-four storey building with an outpatient and day therapy area (including a new dialysis centre) on the bottom and first floors.

The stages also involve a new Women’s Health Centre including a labour and delivery complex with three birthing suites, and a new outpatient clinic with around 25 treatment spaces.

The investment would also complete the medical imaging unit begun in the first stage of works, refurbish allied health treatment spaces, administration buildings and training areas, and deliver extra car parking for staff, patients and visitors. 

“If we are re-elected in November, a re-elected Labor Government will fund up to $290m to fully complete the second stage of this hospital,” Mr Andrews announced last week.

“This is essentially replacing anything we haven’t done in stage one, gets picked up in stage two.

“It’s about jobs, this is one of the biggest employers in this district. 

“When you build new hospitals, it’s not only about staff and patients, but it also creates many hundreds of construction jobs.”

Other stages of the hospital’s redevelopment include an expanded outpatient and day treatment area including a new dialysis area, a contemporary medical ward that connects to the new surgical ward, and a new sub-acute ward. 

The redevelopment of residential aged care facilities would be in stage four. 

BCH CEO Jan Child was ecstatic about the announcement and what it would mean for the organisation’s future. 

“It’s huge, not just for BCH but the community,” she said.

“It actually sets us up to be a proper, fully fledged regional health service.

“It means we will be able to attract staff faster as they will want to work in a place where there’s great equipment and facilities.”

However, if the current government is not re-elected, Ms Child hopes whichever party is elected will recognise the need for the funding.

She also noted the health service continues to recruit more staff in anticipation for the opening of the expansion and into the future. 

In addition to the hospital funding, Mr Andrews announced the government would invest $20 million to establish the Paramedic Practitioner role.

Paramedic Practitioners can provide urgent care to patients who need it and eliminate the need for a trip to the hospital for many patients. 

They will be able to assess, diagnose patients and treat in the field and make clinical decisions.