Children’s emergency department to start construction soon

A NEW children’s emergency department at Geelong Hospital is due to begin construction this month to soon provide state-of-the-art care for Geelong families.

The state government released plans for the $20 million development for University Hospital Geelong on the weekend ahead of the build that is due to finish mid-next year.

The facility would include 28 additional treatment spaces, including two fast-track and eight short-stay beds, and separate paediatric triage system and waiting area, which would have capacity to meet additional demand.

The government said the facility would be designed with families in mind, and intends to be a calming space that reduces anxiety of hospital visits for children and their parents and carers.

Geelong MP Christine Couzens welcomed the project that she said would provide an important boost for local families.

“This significant investment will deliver state-of-the-art medical services for children, young people and their families in the emergency department at University Hospital Geelong.”

The government said the project was part of a statewide initiative to include the specially designed spaces at Victoria’s busiest gospitals.

“This multi-million-dollar project will provide kids in Geelong with faster access to the care and treatment they need and a safer and more suitable work environment for the region’s amazing health care workers,” Health Infrastrcture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

“We’re making sure kids in Geelong and the Barwon region get the quick, dedicated care they need so that they feel better sooner and in a safe, calm and comforting environment.”

The Victorian Health Building Authority is delivering the project in partnership with Barwon Health. The near 18-month build is expected to create 60 jobs during construction.

The investment is separate to a promised Barwon Women’s and Children Hospital, which has $500 million allocated in the most recent Victorian Budget.