Diamond tour of hospital

Receptionist Merryll Crabtree, Community Health manager Michelle Fleming and senior administration officer Colleen Coll.164123 PICTURE: CONTRIBUTED

By Jodie Symonds

Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health is bigger and better than ever, and Eastern Health is inviting the public to check it out.
An open day will be held on Sunday 29 January for community members to take a tour of the redeveloped Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health.
The open day will also double as the hospital’s 60th anniversary.
The new and improved building has state-of-the-art equipment, including six renal dialysis machines, surgical theatre rooms, after-hour GP care, paediatricians’ rooms.
For its indoor facilities and equipment, the building is every bit a hospital, the colour scheme and use of materials gives families a ‘homely’ feel.
Director of nursing Yarra Ranges Eastern Health said the oranges, pinks and use of timber were designed to feel unlike a hospital.
“The designer did a very good job – we didn’t want just plain white walls,” Ms Hughes said.
“The pinks and oranges in the paediatricians’ rooms are more child-friendly.”
Bookings for the open day are still available including noon, 12.15pm, 12.30pm, 12.45pm and 1pm.
Healesville Hospital is the only hospital in the Yarra Valley, with Ringwood’s Maroondah Hospital being the closest.
“It’s a hospital that is accessible for those in the Yarra Valley, and they won’t have to travel long distances to get the care they need,” Ms Hughes said.
“Especially for those community members who need the dialysis machines, some of them need it regularly and it means they won’t have to travel.”
For more information, or to book, visit www.trybooking.com/243766