Official opening and blessing of the redevelopment

6 Jun 2017

6 June 2017

St John of God Health Care Trustee Chairman Eva Skira and Group CEO Dr Michael Stanford officially opened the redevelopment and Diocese of Sandhurst’s Bishop Leslie Tomlinson DD conducted the blessing.

The privately funded project commenced construction in 2015 and has delivered a new three-story wing, two brand new integrated operating theatres, a large theatre recovery, new sterilising department, and refurbishment of all existing bedrooms, front entrance, Atrium and the Day Procedure Unit, as well as a free car park with flat and easy access into the hospital.

The new wing on Lily St has increased overnight bed capacity by 44 beds across all disciplines – surgical, medical, rehabilitation, maternity and critical care, with room for future expansion on the ground level.

The work was undertaken in many stages so that full hospital services were maintained.

St John of God Bendigo Hospital CEO Darren Rogers said he was pleased to come to the end of a very busy two years.

“It has been a team effort from start to finish. The two new integrated theatres will mean patients may be admitted sooner for their procedure, and if needed, they can do all their rehabilitation here in Bendigo," he said.

"We have hit the ground running with patients being admitted into the extra beds. The expansion is beneficial for Bendigo and the surrounding communities, as they can access first class health care and surgery without having to travel 150km,” said Mr Rogers.

Extensive user group input assisted architects, Clarke Hopkins Clarke to design a hospital that meets the needs of patients, caregivers and visitors. Design features include private patient bedrooms, thoughtful wayfinding and access, and a host of environmentally sustainable considerations.

The builder, Kane Constructions, used many local trades for the project.

Director Hospital Redevelopment Alastair Greenall said this had flow on benefits for the local community.

“A number of Bendigo trades, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, steelwork, joinery, carpentry, roof access, hire equipment, crane hire and landscaping took pride in working on Bendigo’s private not-for-profit hospital. They have all worked cooperatively on this complex project,” Mr Greenall said.

Access to the hospital has improved substantially with a free 172-space car park in Lily St. Black Spot funding has also provided a new roundabout at the Lily/Chum/Barnard intersection, which has improved vehicle and pedestrian traffic safety.

"We have invested in the hospital for future growth of our community and we are already seeing an uptake of services that we can now offer, such as bariatric surgery, which is a new service to Bendigo," Mr Rogers said.

"We see ourselves as more than a hospital, by delivering high quality care in a comfortable and compassionate environment. It’s the small things that count such as private rooms, high quality food, pet therapy, music therapy, pastoral care and sometimes even just chatting to someone such as our volunteers.

"I often get asked if you need to be a Catholic to be admitted. The answer is no, we welcome all patients, regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs. I don’t like to wish people to be here from a medical point of view, but I do hope that those who use our facilities feel comfortable and cared for, and can see that we are more than a hospital."