Community hospital program starts, integrated healthcare more accessible
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Families across Melbourne’s growth areas are one step closer to accessing state-of-the-art integrated healthcare close to home, with a builder appointed to deliver five community hospitals.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced Lendlease Building Contractors has been appointed to deliver the Cranbourne, Craigieburn, Eltham area, Point Cook and City of Whittlesea community hospitals – with construction expected to begin this year for completion in 2024.
The community hospitals are small public hospitals offering a range of health services tailored to local community needs, including urgent care for minor injuries and illnesses, day hospital services including dialysis, paediatric services, allied health and community mental health services.
They will also provide strong links to specialists, health providers and social support services – improving follow-up treatment and support for those requiring complex care.
The community hospitals will take pressure off nearby major hospitals allowing them to focus on critical care, complex health issues and surgeries, emergencies and trauma.
The $675 million invested by the Andrews Labor Government will deliver 10 hospitals built in major growth areas across the state. Once complete, the facilities will offer capacity to treat at least 114,000 more urgent care patients, provide 55,000 dialysis treatments and enable more than 100,000 more allied health sessions each year.
A first-look at designs, which has been shaped by clinicians, consumers and the Community Hospital Community Consultative Committees, will be released later this year.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, each of these hospitals is expected to be completed by 2024.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
“We are getting on with delivering the largest pipeline of health projects in Victoria’s history.”
“Our Community Hospitals Program is about ensuring all Victorians can access everyday health services when they need it, no matter where they live.”
“Families seeking urgent care for minor illnesses, including bumps and bruises, will be able to go their local Community Hospital for treatment – a huge benefit for locals that will also allow our major hospitals to focus on critical and complex health issues.
Original content from VIC Health. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.
Nina Alvarez is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel. Her interests include writing, particularly about the healthcare sector and the many ways it can improve to further benefit people from all walks of life.
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