Families in Victoria’s northeast will now get the care they need in state-of-the-art facilities – thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Wangaratta Hospital.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today officially opened the new medical ward – marking the completion of the almost $23 million redevelopment.
The expanded and upgraded medical ward added eleven extra medical beds to create two 20-bed medical inpatient units – ensuring the hospital can continue to meet the northeast’s growing demand for care.
To make sure the youngest Victorians can also get the care they need close to home the redevelopment also delivered a new eight bed paediatric ward.
Designed to create a comforting environment for kids and their families – it features eight single rooms with ensuites and parent accommodation as well as a negative pressure room for infectious diseases and a playroom.
The final stage also saw the delivery of the expanded and upgraded emergency department with more treatment spaces, an isolation room for potentially infectious patients and a behavioural assessment room.
The redevelopment has also delivered an eight-bed short stay unit – providing acute care for patients staying in the unit for less than 24 hours as well as a new 12-bed Intensive Care Unit equipped with the latest technology to take care of the region’s sickest patients.
Funded through the Labor Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) – the redevelopment ensures that more local residents can access world-class healthcare closer to home now and into the future.
The RHIF – now worth $790 million – provides government funding to rural and regional health services and agencies across Victoria so these services can continue to provide safe and efficient care to local communities.
Since establishing the RHIF in 2015, the Labor Government has funded more than 480 projects for regional health services – the largest investment ever dedicated to our rural and regional health services
The redevelopment was delivered by Northeast Health Wangaratta in partnership with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) and local builder, Zauner Construction.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary- Anne Thomas
“The new medical and paediatric wards at the Wangaratta Hospital will ensure all Victorians – no matter their age – can get the best care in the best facilities close to home.”
“With more space to treat patients, a bigger emergency department and a new kids ward – this upgrade will ensure local residents are getting the best care, now and into the future.
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“The doctors and nurses do an outstanding job at Wangaratta Hospital – this upgrade will ensure that they have access to the best facilities and can continue to provide the best care to the community.”
