The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with the construction of Australia’s first ever specialist heart hospital.
Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos today released new artist impressions for the $564 million Victorian Heart Hospital at Monash University’s Clayton campus, with extensive excavation works now in full swing at the site.
The state-of-the-art hospital will provide the latest in cutting-edge cardiac treatment, world-leading education, training and ground-breaking research.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, with recent statistics showing one Australian dies every 12 minutes from cardiovascular disease.
When it opens, the hospital will have capacity for up to 206 beds – 11 more than originally committed. It will also have capacity to provide 2,150 cardiac surgeries, up to 13,500 cardiac laboratory procedures and 108,000 consultations each year.
It will play an important role in training our future heart specialists, nursing and allied health professionals, educating more than 300 undergraduate students, 260 postgraduate students and 20 PhD students each year.
Cardiac patients in regional Victoria will benefit from the latest telehealth facilities, connecting specialists with country patients and their local doctors, and removing the need to travel to specialist appointments.
During construction, 90 per cent of materials to build the hospital will come from local suppliers, and more than 1,700 construction jobs will be created.
The hospital is being delivered in partnership with Monash Health and Monash University and is expected to be completed in 2022.
It’s just one of the projects the Labor Government has or will deliver as part of its unprecedented $7 billion health infrastructure build program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos
“Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Australia – that’s why we’re delivering the services that Victorians deserve, ensuring everyone has access to world-class cardiac facilities and treatment.”
“This hospital will not only provide the very best cardiac care for patients with heart disease, but it will be home to ground-breaking medical research and will train the next generation of Victorian heart specialists.”
Quote attributable to Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos
“The new hospital right here in Clayton will save thousands of lives and further cement Victoria’s reputation as a world leader in health and medical research.”
Reviewed 30 July 2020