The final designs for the next stage of the $217 million expansion of Latrobe Regional Hospital have been unveiled.
Minister for Health, Martin Foley said the designs reveal a first look at the hospital’s exterior, grounds and internal fit-outs, which have been carefully considered to create a welcoming atmosphere for patients and families.
“This vital expansion will meet the needs of a growing community – increased capacity and purpose-built treatment spaces ensuring patients don’t need to travel for complex procedures,” the Minister said.
“It’s vital that our regional centres have the health facilities they need to care for the local community – we’re delivering the very best health facilities for Victorians no matter where they live.”
The expansion will deliver a new emergency department resuscitation bay, three operating suites, six intensive care unit beds, 44 inpatient beds and a medical imaging and pathology unit.
Maternity services are also being expanded with the addition of two new birthing suites, six maternity beds, six special care nursery cots and a kids play area.
The Minister said the expansion would create 600 jobs during the peak of construction and once complete will allow for an additional 6,200 elective surgeries per year.
A $73 million expansion of the Latrobe Regional Hospital (Stage 2) was completed in 2017 and delivered 30 new acute inpatient beds, 12 new short stay beds, a new emergency department and Gippsland’s first cardiac catheterisation laboratory.
“We are another step closer to delivering the record investment we promised, to upgrade the Latrobe Regional Hospital and provide improved access to clinical and specialist care in the Valley,” said Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing.
“This expansion will create local jobs, and also help get people across Gippsland off waiting lists and into surgery sooner, in a modern hospital that’s close to home.”
Construction will begin this year with the expansion expected to be completed in 2023.
