PREMIER Daniel Andrews toured the Ballarat Base Hospital\u2019s new emergency ambulatory care unit last Friday marking the official opening of the five-million-dollar department.<\/p>\n
The aim of the upgrades was to alleviate pressure and reduce wait times at the hospital.<\/p>\n
There is a new 10-bed unit, consultation room, treatment room, medication room, staff station, two patient ensuites, offices and staff amenities.<\/p>\n
Grampians Health CEO, Dale Fraser, said the upgrade will allow staff to deliver state of the art care for patients and decrease wait times.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a real opportunity to bring care to those in need,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaff are really keen to work there because it\u2019s a new space and it creates an opportunity to provide the care that they want to provide.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur emergency department was built 15 years ago and has been overused for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mr Andrews said the upgrade is important to providing the Ballarat community with the best care possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we\u2019re able to make sure nurses and staff and patients are able to have a refurbished emergency department,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a massive project and one that will be so, so important to treat patients and provide better care.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to providing better health services, Mr Andrews said the upgrade is also important for employment in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know when it comes to health services it\u2019s the biggest employer in this community as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s well funded, if it\u2019s well supported then this local community does well.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PREMIER Daniel Andrews toured the Ballarat Base Hospital\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n