Barwon Health’s women’s and children’s services, including maternity, will be transformed through a State Government funding commitment of more than $500 million announced for the Barwon Women’s and Children’s project.
Barwon Women’s and Children’s will be built within the University Hospital Geelong precinct, adding a new tower block and refurbishing the Bellerine Centre, the current home of Barwon Health’s maternity services and specialist (outpatient) clinics.
Construction will also include a new children’s inpatient unit, new neonatal and parent care unit, specialist (outpatient) clinics, four new operating theatres, and a new main entrance to University Hospital Geelong.
The project will create additional capacity to meet demand with the following improvements:
- Additional maternity inpatient beds;
- Additional paediatric multi-day/same day inpatient beds;
- Additional special care nursery cots;
- Additional birth suites;
- Additional operating theatres; and
- Expanded paediatric and maternity outpatient facilities.
This announcement includes a $100 million State Government election commitment in 2018, and a $50 million Commonwealth Government contribution.
Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver:
- It is an exciting time for our staff and the broader Geelong community as we begin the largest infrastructure project in Barwon Health’s history.
- Barwon Women’s and Children’s will support the delivery of integrated healthcare that is family-friendly, culturally safe, best practice, safe, high-quality, and accessible.
- This facility will enable Barwon Health to meet growing demands and the changing needs and expectations of the G21 and Barwon South West communities.
- The Women’s and Children’s project will support the modernisation of University Hospital Geelong facilities to meet the needs of the community into the future, and marks a huge leap forward in the future of healthcare in our region.
- This project complements the other infrastructure initiatives underway to increase access to surgery and provide more comprehensive services, including mental health, the early parenting centre and Barwon Health Surf Coast (Torquay Community Hospital).
Barwon Health Board chair Brian Cook:
- The Barwon Health Board is elated to see such a great investment in the Geelong community and our future, particularly as our population continues to grow.
- This funding commitment is a testament to the exceptional hard work and effort of the many people involved in developing the business case, and I want to commend those at Barwon Health who have put so much effort into bringing this project to fruition.
