 | NEW EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOR BALLARAT
From the Minister for Health
Monday, 01 November 2010
The Brumby Labor Government’s $4.9 million expansion of the Ballarat Base Hospital emergency department is complete, delivering even quicker access to vital emergency care.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews today joined Member for Ballarat East Geoff Howard to officially open the expanded emergency department and a new eight-bed short stay unit.
“We are taking action to give Victorians a better health system by building new hospitals and hiring more doctors and nurses,” Mr Andrews said.
“That is why we delivered $4.9 million to the Ballarat emergency department expansion that will treat even more emergency patients.”
Mr Andrews said the redevelopment included a new entrance, waiting area, children’s area, five fast track cubicles, a staff workstation, increased amenities and relocation of support areas.
“New fast track services provide an efficient and effective way of caring for people who present to the emergency department with minor illnesses or injuries,” he said.
“The redevelopment has created a more efficient working environment for doctors and nurses and improved treatment areas for patients and their families.”
Mr Howard said the opening of the expansion of the emergency department was welcome news for Ballarat families.
“This modern facility will match the high quality emergency care being delivered by the committed doctors and nurses at Ballarat Health Services,” Mr Howard said.
The Ballarat Hospital emergency department treated more than 50,000 patients in 2009/10.
Mr Andrews also announced that local contractor SJ Weir had been chosen to undertake works as part of the Brumby Government’s $20 million redevelopment of Ballarat Base Hospital.
“These works will include the development of a cardiac catheter laboratory and redevelopment of the special care nursery and maternity outpatients,” he said.
“SJ Weir is a local Ballarat company with over 90 years of construction experience. Local Ballarat sub-contractors will be used, creating about 50 jobs in the Ballarat construction industry.
“A new cardiac catheterisation laboratory and six-bed day unit will be able to treat people with heart disease, while two extra cots in the special care nursery will enable more seriously ill newborn babies to stay at Ballarat.”
Mr Andrews said the Brumby Government had invested $43 million in capital projects at Ballarat Health Service since 1999, along with $5.5 million to improve infrastructure and $4.8 million to buy new medical equipment.
“In the 2010/11 budget, we delivered $13 million to compliment the Federal Government’s commitment of $42 million to build the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Service,” he said.
Mr Andrews today also released plans including the façade for the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre.
“This $55 million project will expand and enhance radiotherapy services for the Grampians region,” he said.
“The new fully integrated radiation oncology service at Ballarat Base Hospital will include four bunkers, a 16-chair day oncology service, consulting rooms, a pharmacy, wellness centre and dedicated areas for clinical research.
“Cancer is a high priority for the Victorian Government and our $150 million Cancer Action Plan aims to increase cancer survival rates for Victorians by a further 10 per cent and save 2000 lives.”
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