Thursday, 21 January 2021

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring the Latrobe Valley community has access to the health services they need thanks to a major expansion of Latrobe Regional Hospital.

Minister for Health Martin Foley today released the final designs for the next stage of the $217 million expansion ensuring families in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley have timely access to world-class medical facilities.

The designs reveal a first look at the hospital’s exterior, grounds and internal fit-outs, which have been carefully considered to create a welcoming atmosphere for patients and families.

The expansion will deliver a new emergency department resuscitation bay, three operating suites, six intensive care unit beds, 44 inpatient beds and a medical imaging and pathology unit.

Maternity services are also being expanded with the addition of two new birthing suites, six maternity beds, six special care nursery cots and a kids play area – ensuring more mums can give birth closer to home.

The expansion will create 600 jobs during the peak of construction and once complete will allow for an additional 6,200 elective surgeries per year.

A $73 million expansion of the Latrobe Regional Hospital (Stage 2) was completed in 2017 and delivered 30 new acute inpatient beds, 12 new short stay beds, a new emergency department and Gippsland’s first cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

Construction will begin in 2021 with the expansion expected to be completed in 2023.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Martin Foley

“This vital expansion will meet the needs of a growing community – increased capacity and purpose-built treatment spaces ensuring patients don’t need to travel for complex procedures.”

“It’s vital that our regional centres have the health facilities they need to care for the local community – we’re delivering the very best health facilities for Victorians no matter where they live.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

 “We are another step closer to delivering the record investment we promised, to upgrade the Latrobe Regional Hospital and provide improved access to clinical and specialist care in the Valley.”

“This expansion will create local jobs, and also help get people across Gippsland off waiting lists and into surgery sooner, in a modern hospital that’s close to home.”