Staff from BCH and commercial construction company IZZA Group were on site for the turning of the sod, marking the start of worker accommodation on the hospital grounds in Wonthaggi.
At the sod turning (from left): Sam Issa IZZA Group owner, Jordan Crugnale MP, Shaun Brooks BCH CFO and Board Chair Ian Thompson. The construction is being funded by the State Government's Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.
An artist impression of the new worker accommodation being built on the grounds of Wonthaggi Hospital, consisting of 20 self-contained rooms, as well as communal and outdoor living areas.
An artist impression of the new worker accommodation being built on the grounds of Wonthaggi Hospital, consisting of 20 self-contained rooms, as well as communal and outdoor living areas.
Bass Coast Health (BCH) and Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale celebrated the start of construction of much needed worker accommodation in Wonthaggi last week.
The new two-storey accommodation at Wonthaggi Hospital will consist of 20 self-contained rooms for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, medical specialists and allied healthcare staff.
The construction is being funded by the State Government's Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, with Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes saying the support would ensure regional areas have the skilled workers they need.
Local MP Jordan Crugnale welcomed the construction, which she said would be good for workers, patients and Wonthaggi.
"Making sure health workers have a place to stay near the hospital just makes sense," Ms Crugnale said.
BCH's interim CEO Professor Simone Alexander agreed.
"This project will benefit the community by helping Bass Coast Health to attract the healthcare workers who provide a wide range of specialist medical services locally, enabling our community to have greater access to quality care closer to their homes.
"We are so fortunate this project will benefit from the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, which has helped make this facility a reality."
The new facility will also include communal and outdoor living areas and will be built on hospital grounds, next to Kirrak House residential aged care facility, providing staff with easier access to the workplace and reducing travel time for key workers.
The project is the first health worker initiative to be approved through the Government's Development Facilitation Program and the government said it "will play a critical role supporting Bass Coast Health attract and retain more skilled healthcare workers".
Bass Coast Health provides a range of hospital and community-based care services across multiple sites, including Wonthaggi Hospital, the Phillip Island Community Hospital at Cowes, and also at San Remo.
The new housing will accommodate up to 20 healthcare workers, freeing up rental properties and hotel rooms currently relied on by Bass Coast Health to house an extensive range of visiting healthcare professionals.
