Thursday, 24 October 2019

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing, today toured the newly completed Short Stay Unit and third Operating Theatre at West Gippsland Hospital.

The new Short-Stay Unit was made possible through funding of $3.3 Million from the Andrew’s Government Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.

The eight bed unit adjacent to the Emergency Department will expand capacity, improve efficiency and reduce waiting times for treatment by creating a dedicated area for patients who will stay in hospital for less than 24-hours.

West Gippsland Healthcare Group,  Chief Executive Officer, Dan Weeks said the projects would provide much needed additional capacity as the hospital continued to experience increased demand for health services.

In addition to the Short-Stay Unit works included a third operating theatre.  By expanding capacity, improving safety, quality and efficiency we are delivering on our promise of providing better care to all Victorians.

WGHG Board Chair, Christine Holland, said it had been a challenging year at WGHG marked by rapid growth in demand for services and major construction development.

“While we look forward to the benefits these facilities will provide to the community, we acknowledge there was significant disruption to services at times. Staff, patients, visitors and the community are praised for their tolerance and support during this construction.”

Mrs Holland also thanked local Aboriginal Elders for their input into co-designing the Short Stay Unit to create a welcoming environment.

“We are delighted to have some fabulous new work by local artist, Eileen Harrison in the Emergency Department and more work is planned including a new garden near the front entry.”

The Short Stay Unit and Third Operating Theatre are expected to open in November.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing:

“Through the Regional Health Fund we will continue to improve health services and agencies in Baw Baw and regional Victoria.”

“The Andrew’s Labour Government is working to ensure every Victorian, no matter where they live, can access the health services they need closer to home, like these at Warragul Hospital”