Base gets emergency upgrades

PREMIER Daniel Andrews toured the Ballarat Base Hospital’s new emergency ambulatory care unit last Friday marking the official opening of the five-million-dollar department.

The aim of the upgrades was to alleviate pressure and reduce wait times at the hospital.

There is a new 10-bed unit, consultation room, treatment room, medication room, staff station, two patient ensuites, offices and staff amenities.

Grampians Health CEO, Dale Fraser, said the upgrade will allow staff to deliver state of the art care for patients and decrease wait times.

“It is a real opportunity to bring care to those in need,” he said.

“Staff are really keen to work there because it’s a new space and it creates an opportunity to provide the care that they want to provide.

“Our emergency department was built 15 years ago and has been overused for a long time.”

This grant combined with previous funding means that more than $595 million is being put into the upgrade of the Ballarat Base Hospital with other projects such as a new theatre, infrastructure upgrades and mobile x-ray units set to be completed in 2027.

Mr Andrews said the upgrade is important to providing the Ballarat community with the best care possible.

“Today we’re able to make sure nurses and staff and patients are able to have a refurbished emergency department,” he said.

“This is about dealing with a really busy emergency department and providing local families with the care that they need and of course making sure that staff have the safest environment to work in.

“It’s a massive project and one that will be so, so important to treat patients and provide better care.”

In addition to providing better health services, Mr Andrews said the upgrade is also important for employment in the region.

“We know when it comes to health services it’s the biggest employer in this community as well,” he said.

“If it’s well funded, if it’s well supported then this local community does well.”