Community farewells St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital
As operations come to an end, the St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital community gathered at a farewell event on 21 October to reflect on the extraordinary care that defined the hospital and its lasting impact on patients, families and communities across the Mornington Peninsula and beyond.
St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital community gathered at a farewell event held at the hospital on 21 October
St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital will cease operations on 23 October following an agreement for Vasey RSL Care to acquire the site.
St John of God South East Melbourne Hospitals CEO Lisa Norman said for more than two decades, St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital had been at the forefront of rehabilitation care, delivering innovative, compassionate care and leaving a lasting impact on patients, families and the wider community.
"Over the past 22 years, St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital has built a reputation for excellence in rehabilitation, helping people recover from stroke, neurological conditions, chronic illness, surgery and injury,” Ms Norman said.
The hospital was also recognised for its commitment to innovation, pioneering services and technologies that improved patient outcomes and quality of life. This included specialised Parkinson's disease and acquired brain injury programs, Australia's first nurse-led outpatient oncology rehabilitation program, and being the first hospital in Victoria to introduce Tyromotion robotic therapy technology to support rehabilitation and recovery.
“The hospital's true impact extends beyond clinical care, to the countless lives transformed and connections built over its history,” she said.
“To all our wonderful, amazing caregivers please accept our sincere gratitude as we say farewell to St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital. Your care has made a difference to our patients and hospital community, and we are grateful for all you have contributed. We are proud of what we have accomplished together and for the difference we have made in the lives of our patients.
"We wish you all the very best and sincerely thank you,” she said.
Originally opened as Peninsula Private Hospital in 1977 and later becoming Nepean Rehabilitation Hospital in 2000, the facility joined St John of God Health Care in 2004.
Looking to the future, handover of the site from St John of God Health Care to Vasey RSL Care is scheduled for 16 November. The established aged care services and accommodation provider has future plans to redevelop the site to provide aged care services in response to growing community demand across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region.