Premier

Getting It Done: A Better Day Surgery For Geelong Patients

04 December 2017

Adults and children waiting for and recovering from surgery at University Hospital Geelong will have a better experience in a relaxing, modern and comfortable environment officially opened today by the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy joined Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and Member for Lara John Eren in Geelong today to open the hospital’s new $6.38 million Barwon Health Surgery Hub.

Around 50 patients a day will pass through the Hub, which includes consulting rooms, 12 holding bays, 11 recovery bays, waiting admissions room, waiting discharge room, patients’ belongings room, family room and offices.

The Surgery Hub includes a brightly-decorated admissions area to support children and their families – the Tree House - with dedicated paediatric staff.

The new environment also features state-of-the-art, plush recliner chairs to ensure maximum comfort for patient recovery. This new facility is designed around the needs of patients making the experience of having surgery less stressful and more welcoming.

The former facilities were unable to cope with the volume of patients coming through for day surgery preparation and were tired and out-of-date. There was also no second stage recovery area so day stay patients were transferred to another department for their recovery.

The Surgery Hub is part of a $93.2 million major upgrade of University Hospital Geelong. The first stage is now complete and stages two to four will provide the hospital with new staff amenities, enhanced sterile store and equipment store capabilities and office meeting rooms.

The 2017/18 State Budget included $2 billion in health and ambulance services, programs and agencies over four years, delivering better, safer and more services for Victorians. Of this, $1.67 billion will support hospitals to deliver more care, services and surgeries.

Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We are investing in Victoria’s health system and building important projects - like the one here in Geelong – so that all Victorians get the quality health care they need.”

Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

“As part of this $93.2 million upgrade, patients, especially children, will now have the state of the art Day Surgery facilities they deserve at University Hospital Geelong.”

Quote attributable to Member for Lara John Eren

"This new Surgery Hub will give more families in Geelong the care they need, when they need it, close to home."

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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