THE Wonthaggi Hospital expansion continues to progress with the project expected to be completed in November and handed over to Bass Coast Health (BCH) in late December this year. 

Almost 200 workers have been present at the site each day building a new emergency department, four theatre operating suites, a recovery and central sterilising area, a 32-bed combined surgical and paediatric ward and a new radiology precinct.

The Sentinel-Times was given an in-depth tour of the incredible four-storey building and an explanation of key aspects of each area. 

Guiding the tour was BCH’s director of infrastructure, Wimal Kirinde and director service development Kerryn Griffiths. 

Ms Griffiths was quick to point out that the new entrance to the hospital will feature a map of South Gippsland, with place makers for each town. 

“This is to promote a sense of place,” she said. 

“There will also be a drive-through drop off at the front entrance, and short-term parking.”

As the group entered the new emergency department (ED), they explained it will feature 24 beds including for short stay and fast track areas. 

“(Fast track service) is an operation during high seasonal activity when we have lots of people who can’t get into GPs but need that service,” Ms Griffiths said. 

“Short stay is for patients who aren’t quite ready to be discharged home and need to be watched a bit longer.”

A new feature of the ED includes a behavioural assessment room, where patients who may not be able to control their behaviour can be kept safely. 

The ambulance loading bay with now feature six bays, which is currently at two, and will be undercover. 

As the tour progressed, Mr Kirinde showcased another first for the hospital, with four isolation rooms being built. 

“Currently we don’t have any isolation rooms; they’re true negative pressure isolation rooms,” he said.

“If we have got any infectious patients, we can close the door and the room will function as an isolation room.”

Mr Kirinde added that ‘pandemic designs’ were also incorporated into parts of the hospital, meaning air won’t be circulated back into the main areas helping stop transmission.

Another key aspect of the first level will be the new front foyer, with Aboriginal artwork to feature prominently.

A café and shop will also be developed, subject to additional funding. 

Mr Kirinde explained that while funding of $115 million was for the first stage of the project, further stages are dependent on future government funding. 

“There will be another 32-bed medical ward, a 32-bed subacute ward and an outpatient’s area with consulting rooms,” he said.

“As well as a pharmacy and pathology.

“For that… the first thing for us is to get the funding announcement and then start the designs.

“The design process takes about 18-24 months and then construction can begin.”

Second level

The tour then progressed to the second storey, which features the surgical ward and state-of-the-art operating theatres. 

“The only (operating) theatres closest to us in this size is Casey Hospital, even Frankston (hospital) doesn’t have theatres this size,” he said.

The theatres will incorporate audio-visual systems for surgeons, with screens surrounding each angle from where the surgeon may be working. 

“(One of the rooms) has audio-visual capacity to transmit to other hospitals or universities,” Ms Griffiths said.

“So, if we want to do any teaching, with permission from the patient, we can livestream from this theatre into a university lecture hall.

“Or if something happens and we need to get specialised help from outside, they can see what’s going on and help guide and direct.”

It is expected the hospital will have the capacity to treat 26,000 extra emergency patients every year.