June 6th, 2022Hospital redevelopment

STATE Health Minister Martin Foley visited Daylesford Hospital last week to announce the $4.548 million upgrade of its operating theatres will start late this year.
The project includes upgrades to the operating theatre, an additional operating theatre, waiting area, sterile stock storage area, recovery and admission areas and changerooms. The project will also replace ageing patient monitoring medical equipment, along with equipment in the Central Sterile Supply Department and refurbish that area. The upgrade is due to be completed in the second half of 2023.
Mr Foley said he had been speaking with members of the Daylesford Hospital Board about ongoing funding. “We are looking toward the next stage of the detailed planning and working through what that means; not just this campus but the whole Central Highlands.”
Mr Foley said the population of the region was growing but Castlemaine and Ballarat remained the focus for maternal and early childhood health. Daylesford Hospital has not been available for maternal services for many years.
“We have been working closely with Central Highlands Rural Health about the best model for this region and obviously maternal health and early childhood are a key part of that,” he said.
“Seeing those services delivered safely and appropriately especially as the population grows is at the heart of what CHRH do. But as we have seen, right across the country in fact, access to maternal services, particularly midwives, is really tough and making the best of those skills in the most appropriate locations safely drives what all health services do.
“That’s why Castlemaine and Ballarat will continue to be the focus. We look forward to how CHRH can work into that system.”
Mr Foley also visited Ballarat Base Hospital and unveiled a first look at its new support services building and central energy plant which forms part of the second stage of its $541.6 million redevelopment.
The Drummond Street building will house a state-of-the-art pharmacy, pathology services along with an Education and Learning Centre.
The $80 million project integrates a new central energy plant in the redevelopment, as part of the Guaranteeing Energy Supply initiative ensuring hospitals can power themselves.
Construction of the first stage of the redevelopment is nearly complete with new and modern reception areas, reflection spaces, prayer rooms and consulting suites.
The demolition of old facilities is currently under way, with construction of the hospital’s new central energy plant and support services building to start this year.
The project will be completed over multiple stages and once open will have the capacity to treat at least 18,000 more emergency patients and an extra 14,500 inpatients per year.
The redevelopment includes a multi-level tower with a new emergency department, a women and children’s hub, state-of-the-art theatre suite and an extra 100 inpatient and short-stay beds. Construction of the final stage is due in 2026.

Above, from left, CHRH CEO Maree Cuddihy, Minister Foley, Daylesford Hospital Board chair Professor Peter Matthews and deputy chair Kate Redwood
Words: Tony Sawrey & Donna Kelly | Image: Tony Sawrey