The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering a flagship new Barwon Women's and Children's Hospital, giving local families the world-class maternity and paediatric services they need close to home.
Premier Daniel Andrews today announced that work on the project is expected to get underway later this year and will support around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs at peak construction.
More than $500 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23 will deliver the flagship project, which will include paediatric and maternity services including multi-day beds, birthing suites, induction spaces, operating theatres and outpatient clinic rooms.
A neonatal and parent care unit that provides care for sick and preterm babies in the first few weeks and months of life will also be included, ensuring local mums can stay close to their loved ones after giving birth.
It will also feature overnight and same-day beds, outpatient clinic rooms and dedicated theatres that make medical care less intimidating. The new hospital will be built alongside the existing University Hospital in Geelong.
The Government is also investing $20 million in a new emergency department for kids at University Hospital.
The new emergency department paediatric zone is designed to provide children with a private, calm and compassionate environment while receiving the very best tailored care. Designs for this important project are underway and are on-track to be released in late 2022.
As stated by Premier Daniel Andrews
"We're delivering vital health infrastructure projects for the Barwon region to ensure families get the very best maternity and paediatric care, close to home."
As stated by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
"Having better health and hospital services for women in the local area will provide great comfort and security for Geelong families."
As stated by Member for Lara John Eren
"This is a hospital which is tailor made to suit the needs of local women and children - with more specialist services and better infrastructure for staff."
As stated by Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville
"This will be an incredible specialist service for women and children across the Bellarine."
As stated by Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman
"Not only is this hospital going to give us the best healthcare possible, but it will also create thousands of jobs both during construction and through ongoing work at the hospital."
