Progress for Barwon Women’s and Children’s

GEELONG community members will have the chance to help shape the Barwon Women’s and Children’s hospital as designers prepare to draft concepts for the project.

Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the government had appointed Lyons Architecture to design the hospital, and that it would establish a community consultative committee (CCC) to include local ideas.

Geelong MP Christine Couzens will chair the CCC, which will also include representatives from Barwon Health, the City of Greater Geelong and local residents.

“I’m looking forward to working with our Community Consultative Committee to ensure the new Women’s and Children’s reflects the needs and diversity of the community,” Ms Couzens said.

“The new hospital is a major community asset and we want local ideas, to help shape it and make sure it’s delivering the care that the community needs, and deserves.”

Once built, the Barwon Women’s and Children’s will include paediatric and maternity services and a neonatal and parent care unit to bring the vital services closer to home for Geelong mums.

Earlier this month, the state government announced it had started building a new $20 million children’s emergency department that will form part of the hospital.

“We’re getting on with delivering the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s so locals can get the very best care, close to home – when they need it most,” Ms Thomas said last week.

“Geelong is one of Australia’s fastest growing communities and we’re delivering the world-class health care they need and deserve.”

Expressions of interest to join the committee are open at vhba.vic.gov.au/health/hospitals/barwon-womens-and-childrens

Meanwhile, the Victorian Budget handed down on Tuesday this week revealed that the government is targeting late 2029 for completion of the $500 million redevelopment.