By JESSE GRAHAM
THE future of Healesville Hospital has become clearer following the release of multi-million dollar redevelopment plans.
Seymour MP and Eildon candidate Cindy McLeish and members of the Healesville Hospital Redevelopment Liaison Group met with Eastern Health CEO Alan Lilly and staff on Friday 12 September for the release of plans on the hospital’s $7.8 million redevelopment.
With patient rooms upgraded to singles and doubles, each with their own ensuite, a rehabilitation centre and a renal dialysis unit, only one room in the current hospital will be untouched by the changes.
Eastern Health’s Executive Director of Acute Health, Adjunct Professor David Plunkett, thanked the consultants and everyone who had input on the project for their work in reshaping the development.
“Without them and without your input, this wouldn’t be how it is today,” he said.
“As well as providing a significant boost in healthcare for all patients and clients now, these plans will allow us to adapt to changes in demand for services in the future.”
The plans include provisions for a birthing suite, should Eastern Health elect to return the service in future, and Yarra Valley Community Health’s services will also be upgraded by the redevelopment.
Mr Lilly echoed Mr Plunkett’s thanks to the groups involved and singled out the Save Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) for its work regarding the hospital.
“I’d like to acknowledge the work that SHHAG has actually done in the community – it has heightened the profile of the project during the last few years but has also made it a challenging one,” he said.
Ms McLeish said the new hospital building, when completed, would be more convenient for staff and the community for decades to come.
“It’s going to give a major facelift and I really congratulate everyone for being involved in getting this project off of the ground,” she said.
Other key areas in the upgrade include a paediatric gym service, new operating theatre and more space for clinical consulting and counselling.
Construction is set to begin on the redevelopment next year, with the hospital to be finished by early 2016.
The redevelopment plans will be on display at the Healesville Community Link building from 16 September to 7 October.
To view the plans online, visit www.easternhealth.org.au/healesvilleredevelopment.
