 | GEELONG HOSPITAL’S NEW OPERATING THEATRES READY FOR SURGERY
From the Minister for Health
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
The Brumby Labor Government’s $30 million expansion of Geelong Hospital is taking shape with two new operating theatres now ready to be used for surgery.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews was today joined by Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield, Member for Geelong Ian Trezise and Member for Lara John Eren to officially open the two new theatres that will each treat up to 1000 patients every year.
“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 $3.7 million to build two operating theatres and refurbish the existing eight theatres at Geelong Hospital.
“The theatre project is part of the Brumby Government’s $30 million expansion of Geelong Hospital to cater for the region’s booming population.
“This exciting redevelopment will support the dedicated staff at Geelong Hospital to continue providing patients with first-class care, close to home.”
The Commonwealth Government provided $4.2 million towards the theatres.
Mr Trezise said the $30 million expansion included an additional 24-bed surgical ward, an eight mental health bed expansion of the Swanston Centre and a clinical services reconfiguration.
“Boosting the number of theatres at Geelong Hospital from eight to 10 will increase the capacity of Barwon Health to meet record demand for surgery in the region,” Mr Trezise said.
“With the two new theatres complete, works will now turn to refurbishing the existing eight theatres with all 10 theatres to be fully operational from August 2011.”
The Barwon Health Foundation has provided $720,000 towards furnishings and equipment for the operating theatre project.
Mr Andrews said the Brumby Government had invested more than $200 million in capital development at Barwon Health since coming to office.
“This includes a new state-of-the-art emergency department, additional cancer services at Andrew Love Centre, and significantly improved aged residential care and rehabilitation facilities at the McKellar Centre and Alan David Lodge, Grovedale,” he said.
“In the this year’s budget we committed a further $33.6 million to expand acute and ICU capacity at the Geelong Hospital as well as planning and buying land for a new campus in the growing southern suburbs of Geelong.
“We are working hard to ensure that people living in Geelong and surrounding areas have the same access to quality healthcare as all other Victorians.”
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