The Andrews Labor Government is on track to deliver a dedicated children’s emergency department at the University Hospital Geelong, giving local families the state-of-the-art emergency care, they need and deserve.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today unveiled designs for the new $20 million children’s emergency department which will provide kids with the best care in a calm and reassuring environment.
A trip to the emergency department can be scary for kids, but in this new facility they will be treated in a calming space, purpose built for families – with the capacity to meet growing demand.
The new children’s emergency department will include 28 additional dedicated treatment spaces including two fast-track and eight short-stay beds – with new treatment rooms and support spaces and a separate paediatric triage system and waiting area.
The designs reveal a child-friendly environment with considered calming, soft tones and décor to help minimise anxiety in younger patients.
The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with Barwon Health. Construction is expected to get underway this month and be finished in July next year – sustaining and creating around 60 jobs during construction.
The project is part of the Labor Government’s investment to deliver specially designed children’s emergency areas in some of the state’s busiest hospitals.
The investment builds on more than $500 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23 for the flagship Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The new Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital will integrate with existing University Hospital Geelong services and will deliver additional capacity to meet increasing demand in the region. The new facilities include more birthing suites, extra maternity inpatient beds, more paediatric inpatient beds, and extra special care nursery cots.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“This multi-million-dollar project will provide kids in Geelong with faster access to the care and treatment they need and a safer and more suitable work environment for the region’s amazing health care workers.”
“We’re making sure kids in Geelong and the Barwon region get the quick, dedicated care they need so that they feel better sooner and in a safe, calm and comforting environment.”
As stated by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“This significant investment will deliver state-of-the-art medical services for children, young people and their families in the emergency department at University Hospital Geelong.”
