Healthy plan for hospital

– Kath Gannaway
HEALTH Minister Daniel Andrews told Healesville Hospital management and staff a $3 million injection of funds was a step towards securing the future of the hospital.
Mr Andrews in December 2008 said the government was “keen to provide Eastern Health with some capital funding to grown the services” and stated renal dialysis was one option.
On Friday, visiting the hospital to make the formal funding announcement Mr Andrews said the money would provide upgrade to the physical fabric of the hospital to bring the quality of the buildings up to a standard that would allow for expansion.
“You are limited in what you can offer by the physical infrastructure and once we get that right we will be able to grow and expand services,’ he said.
He said there had been changes in recent years in local demand for services, with an increasing need for ambulatory and same day health services.
The new upgrade includes expanding and consolidating the Yarra Valley Community health Centre and a refurbishment to accommodate additional outpatient services including ante and post-natal clinics, renal dialysis and mental health services. He said strategic planning by Eastern Health had clearly identified a number of patients who travel for dialysis but added the exact nature of the services to be provided would be determined taking into consideration services offered at other Eastern Health facilities.
“It’s about working with the community and about what we are able to provide in Eastern Health more generally,” Mr Andrews said, adding it would be a process of formal and informal consultation.
He said obstetric, elective and aged care services were important services already being provided at the hospital, which the government was committed to continuing at Healesville.
“Healesville is part of Eastern Health so it’s about working with the community so they have an understanding of the services they (Eastern Health) will be providing here.”
A new car park will be built for staff and visitors and improvements to the switchboard, kitchen and patient rooms are also on the drawing board.
Member for Seymour Ben Hardman said the upgrade was expected to create 20 jobs within the broader construction industry and would ensure Healesville Hospital was best placed to meet future community needs.
Construction is expected to start early next year.