Patients, doctors and nurses are today making the historic move into the $630 million new Bendigo Hospital, with its doors opening to the public tomorrow.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today visited a family in the Special Care Nursery to mark the major milestone that will see around 200 patients move into the world class facility after more than 160 years in the old Lucan St site.
The physical move of patients from the old site including inpatients, as well as maternity, rehabilitation and psychiatric units, involves around 20 ambulances and road closures to ensure a smooth and safe transfer.
Along with patients, more than 3000 Bendigo Health staff are transitioning to the new hospital.
The massive new hospital – regional Victoria’s largest ever hospital project – was signed off by the former Labor Government in 2010 and will be able to accommodate future growth in demand for many years to come.
The project has delivered a state-of-the-art hospital with 372 inpatient beds, 72 same-day beds, 11 operating theatres, an integrated cancer centre, a new 25-bed maternity unit and an 80-bed mental health unit.
The new hospital is an iconic piece of architecture that stands as a new landmark for the whole Bendigo community.
The new emergency department - now accessed by Drought St - has a dedicated children’s waiting room and a separate entrance for psychiatric patients providing them with increased privacy.
And with more than 1300 babies born at Bendigo Health each year, a bigger and better maternity unit with 25 single rooms, seven birthing suites and 15 special care nursery cots will cater for the growing number of births.
To ensure Bendigo Health was ready for the move and could expand services, the Labor Government has increased its funding for the health service by 13.2 per cent this financial year to $275.25 million.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Today’s historic and complex move is a massive effort that involved many months of meticulous planning to ensure patient safety, comfort and care.”
“A big thanks to all including Bendigo Health staff, Ambulance Victoria, VicRoads, the City of Greater Bendigo and Spotless for making this seamless move a success.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
"I'm proud to have worked on this new hospital from the start on behalf of our local community. It will change lives and ensure people in Bendigo and beyond can access the very best care when they need it, closer to home.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“With its doors now open, families, doctors and nurses across Bendigo and the region now have a landmark, modern hospital they can truly be proud of.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020