Premier

Labor Government Gets It Done At Bendigo Hospital

10 August 2018

The completely rebuilt Bendigo Hospital has today been formally opened, marking the official arrival of the world class facility that will treat and care for Central Victorians for many more years to come.

Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Health Jill Hennessy, Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan, and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards alongside health workers and community members to mark the momentous day for health services in Bendigo.

Initially funded by the previous Labor Government, the project is the largest ever hospital redevelopment in regional Victoria and has made Bendigo Hospital the most technologically advanced in regional Australia.

The $630 million redevelopment has given the growing Bendigo community the world-class hospital it needs with 372 inpatient beds, 72 same-day beds, 11 operating theatres and an integrated cancer centre. A bigger and better maternity unit, 80-bed mental health unit, a hotel and a childcare centre were also unveiled.

The project was completed in recent weeks, with the final touches including a multi-level car park, helipad, short-stay accommodation units and retail outlets. Some 14 emergency helicopters have already landed at the hospital.

The flagship Bendigo Hospital project created more than 1,200 jobs during construction and took workers a total of 2.6 million hours to build. The new hospital has created an extra 220 jobs in the first 12 months of operation.

Bendigo Health will receive more than $320 million this financial year – a 12.1 per cent increase on the previous 12 months, and 37.1 per cent more than when the Liberals were in power.

Thanks to the Labor Government’s investment in health, Bendigo’s elective surgery waiting lists are shrinking and ambulances are getting to Code 1 emergencies faster than ever before. That’s in stark contrast to the Liberals, who let waiting lists and response times soar to record numbers.

Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“This is a government that does what it promises and has delivered for the Bendigo community a world-class hospital, giving local patients the very best care when they need it the most.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We’re proud to play our part in giving Bendigo’s dedicated team of doctors and nurses the state-of-the-art hospital they need to do what they do best.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan

“I’m so proud to have been part of this journey from the start, ten years ago, with our promise of master planning, then designing and funding it, and then delivering it.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

“This hospital will change the lives of patients and their families all over Bendigo and the rest of Central Victoria – as well as the hard-working health care staff who we value so much.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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