BASS Coast Health and the Phillip Island community, including representatives from the two Cowes primary schools, and the advocacy group, Phillip Island Medical and Health Action Group (PIMHAG), broke ground on the new Phillip Island Community Hospital at Cowes this week.
It’s one of 10 such community hospitals, to be built at a cost of $675 million across the state in growth areas like Phillip Island
But it isn’t an election promise.
The exact value of what is effectively an expansion of the Phillip Island Health Hub is not know exactly but the land purchased from the Bass Coast Shire Council was worth in the order of $3 million and the new building and fitout is likely to cost $3.4 million.
According to Bass MP Jordan Crugnale who joined BCH Chair Don Paproth, CEO Jan Child, members of the Phillip Island Health Hub staff, and the Victorian Health Building Authority; the project is already designed, fully-funded and will be completed, on target, in 2024, regardless of the result in the November 26 election.
It was a significant occasion for the Island and for Bass Coast on Wednesday, October 26.
The ‘turning of the first sod’ ceremony was preceded by a stirring and inclusive ‘Welcome to Country’ message by Bunurong Elder Uncle Mik Edwards, who along with Jungala Ellis and Eric Edwards; three generations of the one family, provided the welcoming words, smoking ceremony and music which added to the significance of the day.
“Health business is serious business,” said Uncle Mik Edwards.
“And like the line from that old Rolling Stones’ song, “You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well, you just might find, you get what you need…
“We’ve got to be patient if we don’t want to become patients,” he continued, referring to the journey the community had taken to get approval for the hospital, but it was also a comment to the issue of stress, anxiety and mental health that was so prevalent in the community today.”
A mental health outreach service will be among the wide range of health services to be offered at the new facility.
BCH Chair Don Paproth thanked Uncle Mik for his welcome and described his address as one of the most poignant and comprehensive he had heard on the importance of indigenous culture to all Australians, while also providing the historical setting for the start of the project.
“When I first took on the role of hospital chair seven years ago, the idea of building a hospital on Phillip Island was only a dream, and through community support and action, including the efforts of PIMHAG and many others, here we are today.”
Ms Crugnale also spoke noting that a lot of time, effort and planning had gone into developing a community hospital which would serve the needs of the Phillip Island community and its year-round visitors.
“It’s great to have our schools represented here today, this is especially for your future and also for your families.” Ms Crugnale said.
The Victorian Government is investing $675 million to build 10 community hospitals in growth areas like Phillip Island.
Phillip Island Community Hospital will be a small public hospital providing outpatient care, community-based health and social care services.
Once complete, the new community hospital will help take pressure off nearby major hospitals, including Wonthaggi Hospital. It will also enable more people to manage their health needs closer to home with links to specialists, community health providers and social support services.
Managed by Bass Coast Health, the Phillip Island Community Hospital will be an expansion of the current Phillip Island Health Hub.
The Phillip Island Community Hospital will be managed by Bass Coast Health and expand services currently provided by the Phillip Island Health Hub. It will offer:
* urgent care services
* dialysis
* day chemotherapy
* day surgery
* general medical and specialist appointments
* women’s health
* social support services
* paediatric care
* diagnostic services, including pathology and imaging
* public dental services
* chronic disease management
* mental health services
* alcohol and other drug support services
* Family safety and crisis support services
* allied health and rehabilitation services
* pharmacy services.
Strong links to specialists, community health providers and social support services will ensure more seamless follow-up treatment and support for those who require complex care.
CEO of Bass Coast Health, Jan Child, said there would be on overnight beds at the ‘hospital’ but she said it would still offer a selection of day procedures, and a wide range of other services, while working hand-in-hand with the expanded Wonthaggi hospital and the wider health system.
Community consultation has been a big part of the project to date and will be ongoing.
As part of these initiatives, BCH has established a Phillip Island Community Hospital community consultative committee (CCC) which provides a forum for local community members to participate in the planning and development of the project through open dialogue and consultation.
The consultative committee includes:
* foundation members from key organisations such as the local council
* health service providers and Aboriginal representation
* community members selected through an independent expression of interest process.
The Phillip Island CCC is chaired by Ms Crugnale.
This project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with: Bass Coast Health (managing health service) and HDR (architects).
From Jordan Crugnale MP
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale issued the following media release.
‘Phillip Island community hospital another step closer’
Locals and visitors to Victoria’s popular Phillip Island will soon have greater access to the health services they need, with site preparation works underway for the new multi-million-dollar Phillip Island Community Hospital.
Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale today (Wednesday, October 26) visited the site of the hospital to celebrate this important step for the $675 million Community Hospitals Program which will deliver 10 such community hospitals to growth areas in the state.
“An expansion of the existing Phillip Island Health Hub, the Phillip Island Community Hospital is one of ten small public hospitals being built across Victoria in some of the state’s fastest growing areas,” said Ms Crugnale.
Site preparation works are underway at 50-58 Church Street in Cowes, with the removal of the workshop COELS shed and community gardens, as well as vegetation removal and site scraping.
The new hospital will be a public hospital providing a range of integrated community health and specialist services including an expanded urgent care service for minor, non-emergency medical issues, day surgery, dialysis, chemotherapy and public dental.
These expanded and additional services will help take pressure off nearby hospitals, including the Wonthaggi Hospital – allowing them to focus on critical care and acute health issues, emergency care and more complex surgeries and procedures.
“Today is an important milestone for this program, with site preparation works kicking off on the Phillip Island Community Hospital and many more sites to follow across Victoria this year,” said Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas.
“Bumps and bruises are part of everyday life and these community hospitals will make it easier for Victorians to manage their health needs closer to home.”
Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale was delighted to see action on the site.
“I’m very pleased to see works underway on the Phillip Island Community Hospital, laying the groundwork for this important piece of local health infrastructure.”
Designs for the important project released last month reveal the facility’s exteriors, main reception and public courtyard have been carefully considered to create safe and comfortable environments for staff, patients and families. Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA), the Phillip Island Community Hospital will be run by Bass Coast Health and is on track to be completed in 2024.
See also video of the event: https://www.facebook.com/sgsentineltimes/videos/5466353396789921