Tower taking healthcare to new heights

AN inspection from a remarkable height showed progress for Ballarat Base Hospital’s new clinical tower.

On Wednesday 6 May, health infrastructure minister Melissa Horne was taken on a tour to the top of the eight-storey tower.

It now has a rooftop helipad and more than 1100 facade panels installed, along with its internal fit out.

The tower is part of a $655 million upgrade to the hospital.

When the project is completed sometime next year, the hospital will have the capacity to treat 18,000 more emergency patients and 14,500 more inpatients per year.

“It’s terrific to see the work progressing at pace and also too with internal fit-outs starting to happen on the lower ground floors, the facade going up, it will certainly become an iconic feature on the Ballarat landscape,” Horne said.

Wendouree MP Juliana Addison said it was a record investment from the state government for Ballarat.

“What it means is that more people in Ballarat will have improved access to healthcare close to home,” she said. “We know that that means better outcomes for the whole community.”

Grampians Health chief executive officer Dale Fraser said the helipad would be the main thoroughfare for western Victorians to come to Ballarat by helicopter to receive time-urgent care.

“We are so delighted with the record investment that’s been made and looking forward to the fantastic use of this space for many, many years to come,” he said.

When complete, the tower would provide a new main entrance off Sturt Street, new emergency department, 100 more inpatient and short stay beds, a new theatre suite and women and children’s hub.