Tuesday October 17, 2017

Workers, residents, patients, visitors and volunteers will have a safer environment at the McKellar Centre, thanks to the announcement of an additional $71,333 of State Government funding for security.

Barwon Health CEO Ruth Salom welcomed the additional funding announced yesterday and said it would address an area determined to be most in need.

“For some time now, we have had on-site security at the McKellar Centre after hours, and it is great that this now can be extended to 24 hours a day,” she said.

“This will give peace of mind to the many residents, patients, staff and volunteers on this site.

“Security on the University Hospital Geelong site is provided 24 hours and this additional funding for McKellar reflects how busy this site has become.

“We put in place an extra 24/7 security resource in the Emergency Department this year and have increased security at University Hospital Geelong, by a third.”

The McKellar Centre site is home to 281 residents and has 100 beds for sub-acute patients (inpatient rehabilitation and palliative care).

A Behavioural Assessment Room for the Emergency Department is in a planning phase, pending receipt of funds.