By Jesse Graham
THE HEALESVILLE and District Hospital is no more – in name, at least.
Eastern Health announced on Monday 24 October that the Healesville and District Hospital and Yarra Valley Community Health would be renamed Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health to co-incide with the hospital’s opening next year.
Adjunct Professor and Eastern Health chief executive David Plunkett said the slight change “simplifies” both services, which will be under the one roof as part of the hospital’s multi-million dollar redevelopment.
The subject of the name change was put to the community in consultations earlier in the year, with 114 responses to an online survey received by Eastern Health.
“The views of the community, staff and the Eastern Health board were considered prior to making the decision, and overwhelmingly, the feedback revealed that the location and function of the service be recognised,” Adj Prof Plunkett said.
The new hospital, which is set to open in early 2017, will feature a new operating theatre, renal dialysis unit and improved patient amenities, among other features.
To mark the opening of the redeveloped hospital, Eastern Health is asking residents for help in tracking down a woman, pictured at the original opening ceremony for the hospital in 1957.
The woman, then a small girl with pigtails in the picture, is being sought to be invited to next year’s opening.
Anyone with information about the girl in the photo is asked to call 8804 8546 and leave a message.
To keep track of the redevelopment, visit www.easternhealth.org.au/healesvilleredevelopment
