Geelong redevelopment
Tuesday 30 November 2010
St John of God transforms health care in the Geelong
region
St John of God Health Care will establish 64 new beds, an
accident and emergency facility and state of the art rehabilitation
service to deliver significant benefits to the communities of
Geelong and South West Victoria under a major redevelopment at its
hospital in Geelong.
The $56.3 million project - which is part of the hospital’s
five-year masterplan – is the most exciting project ever undertaken
by the Geelong health care provider. It is the result of an
extensive 18-month consultation process with the community and
health care providers that included a lengthy feasibility study
.
“St John of God has a proud history of working closely with the
people of Geelong and the medical community to respond to unmet
needs and deliver outstanding care,” St John of God Hospital
Geelong Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Roberts, said today.
“We have engaged with an enormous number of stakeholders and we
are so delighted to be able to continue our journey with the
community to deliver an exciting blend of additional medical
services and facilities into Geelong and the western region of
Victoria.”
“Identifying and responding to community need is at the heart of
St John of God, and the delivery of unique health care solutions
that meet the distinctive needs of each and every patient is a
priority for our hospital,” he said.
The project will commence immediately and will deliver into the
Geelong community: a private accident and emergency department, a
rehabilitation centre (including hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium), 64
new beds, three new operating theatres, new nurse units for
oncology, palliative care and orthopedic services, an education and
training centre, and additional car-parking.
Mr Roberts said the project will provide a platform for the
creation of a comprehensive 300-bed Centre of Excellence during
this decade.
“We are committed to playing our part in the delivery of
transformative health care change to this community,” Mr Roberts
said.
“Not only will this project provide Geelong residents with
significant choice in hospitals and ongoing recovery, but it will
enhance this hospital’s ability to support education and training
initiatives within the region.”
“Mr Roberts said this proposal marked the third stage in the
hospital’s redevelopment strategy following the opening of the $17
million Specialist Centre in 2009 and the current $10
million nurse unit refurbishment project. The redevelopment
proposal has also been supported by the recent acquisition of
adjoining properties including the Geelong Hotel site.
St John of God Hospital Geelong has grown with the community
since the arrival of the Sisters of St John of God in 1974 and the
existing and projected demands of the rapidly expanding Barwon and
South Western region – which is set to expand by 25 percent over
the next 15 years.
“As demand on Geelong’s health care system expands over the next
decade, St John of God and its doctors and caregivers are committed
and at the ready to continue leading the way by providing
innovative options and outstanding care to the community,” Mr
Roberts said.