Premier's visit a cause for optimism says BCH

The Victorian Premier swung by Wonthaggi Hospital last Friday with Jordan Crugnale MP, after a funding announcement at the Phillip Island Nature Park.

The impromptu visit meant the Premier could meet with Bass Coast Health staff and thank them for their dedication and work over the past years.

He also paid tribute to the project team building the new Wonthaggi Hospital, and spent time chatting with Ambulance Victoria Officers who had earlier that day, transported patients to the Wonthaggi Emergency Department.

According to Jan Child, CEO Bass Coast Health, the hour “was solid gold”.

Ms Child said the Premier had a quick tour of the new hospital and was able to thank the 200 plus workers who are building the new Emergency Department, four theatre operating suites, the recovery and central sterilising area, a 32-bed combined surgical and paediatric ward, and the new radiology precinct, and witness first-hand the excellent progress of "this much needed expansion".

“It has taken years of planning, excellent commitment by the community members and staff who contributed to the design, the Victorian Health Building Authority, Kane Construction, and the vast array of expert consultants working with our own Facilities team," Ms Child said.

Jordan Crugnale MP praised the "great partnership" working with Ms Child to get additional funding to "pandemic proof" the new building with new design features being incorporated, including significant changes to the ventilation systems to reduce any risk of cross infection with airborne viruses.

“We have been fortunate to make these changes during construction rather than retro fit at a later date and we are extremely proud that this massive expansion to our hospital will see our local and visitor community benefit from a first-class building, where they can continue to receive our first-class service,” said Ms Crugnale.

“Friday was a wonderful opportunity for the Premier and I to meet with many doctors, nurses, allied health, cleaners, porters, administrative staff from all areas including emergency, dental, integrated cancer care, maternity and inpatient areas.

:Staff spoke of their personal experiences and the Premier acknowledged their quality of care, dedication, professionalism and fatigue and how the stress on the system had personally impacted staff and their families.”

Ms Child said the Premier and Ms Crugnale “heard what was needed to grow the sub-regional services, and most importantly, they thanked our staff for the momentous effort put in every day. On a Friday when everything else just seemed super busy, stretched and relentless, the positivism as a result of this quick visit on staff, was pure gold”.

The Wonthaggi Hospital Expansion is due to be handed over to BCH in November this year with the total project to be completed early 2023.

Staffing

BCH was already on a huge recruitment agenda given the growth in services. Over the past five years, the state-funded contribution to BCH grew from $42 million in 2016/17 to $77 million in 2021/22, with a large proportion going towards expanding the workforce.

Staff numbers have grown from 700 in 2016, to over 1000 today, and over the coming two years with more growth and more services, BCH expects staff numbers to grow by a further 100 or more.