- Published:
- Wednesday 23 August 2023
Communities across Victoria’s northwest can look forward to world-class emergency care and treatment, with work now underway on a multi-million-dollar redevelopment at Swan Hill District Health.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today turned the first sod on the massive $65 million project, jointly funded between the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
This redevelopment will boost the emergency department’s capacity by more than doubling the treatment spaces and ensure our hardworking doctors and nurses can deliver the best possible care in a state-of-the-art facility that will have the capacity to treat 25,000 patients annually.
The redevelopment will see the replacement of the outdated emergency department and the addition of a new four-bed Short Stay Unit, Isolation Room and Behavioural Assessment Room.
These important new additions will improve the privacy of patients, provide a modern and efficient workplace for staff and ensure the hospital can meet local communities’ existing and future health needs.
The new emergency department is on track to be completed by 2025 and will create and sustain around 145 local jobs during peak construction.
Designs for the project were released in July 2022 and revealed a first look at the new emergency department building and clinical spaces which were developed with the people who will be using the facility the most, including staff.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing $35.7 million which is in addition to more than $7 million invested for Swan Hill District Health through programs including the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) and Medical Equipment Replacement Program (MERP).
This previous investment delivered the upgrade of the former residential aged care facility to accommodate inpatient sub-acute services and the replacement of Central Sterile Service Department (CSSD) sterilisers, water disinfector and endoscopic and theatre equipment.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“With construction works underway, communities in Swan Hill and surrounding areas can look forward to world-class emergency care and treatment.”
“This joint project between is delivering Victoria’s northwest the emergency healthcare they need and deserve.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“The new additions as part of this project mean that Swan Hill District Health is improving its facilities to ensure it can meet the needs of the community into the future.”