Hospital revamp re-energised

TO ensure a backup power supply is easily accessible at the Ballarat Base Hospital, the facility’s upcoming redevelopment will now include the installation of a central energy plant.

Worth $80 million, the power station brings the State’s funding figure for the project to $541.6 million. From 2021, these works will employ 1400 construction professionals.

The upgrades include 100 more inpatient and short-stay beds, a fresh emergency department, a hub for women and children, a cutting-edge theatre suite, more operating theatres, consulting and procedure rooms and endoscopy suites, and a bigger critical and intensive care floor.

By the year 2027, it’s expected the Base will be able to annually accommodate 18,000 more people through the emergency department, 14,500 more inpatients, 4000 more surgeries, and 1000 more employees than it currently does.

Ballarat Health Services patient, Sharon Eacott is a monthly visitor to the Base receiving treatment for multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and type-one diabetes.

She also visits emergency a couple of times each year and wants the architects and construction teams to ensure accessibility is right for everyone.

“One of the problems with hospitals is that they’re like a shed, with another shed, and another shed,” she said.

“Access has always been an issue, and there’s been developments in the past that have been very difficult for people to get into and find their way around.

“Finding your way through the hospital when you’re already in a state of distress is challenging, and if you’ve come from out of town…how do you go about it?”

Ms Eacott’s “great hope” is that there will be much thought put into easy navigation.

“Mapping out the paths before they build the facilities will be important so that patients’ primary focus is their treatment, and not getting to the treatment,” she said.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said BHS’s team of nurses, doctors, allied health workers, catering and support staff do an “incredible” job in community care at the Base.

“This upgrade will give them the modern facilities they need to do what they do best; saving lives,” she said.

Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle said project responds to growth in the Ballarat region.

“This redevelopment is about meeting that increased demand and making sure the community has access to the services they need, while creating thousands of local jobs,” she said.”

Visit vhhsba.vic.gov.au/health/regional-facilities/ballarat-base-hospital-redevelopment to make suggestions.