Work on a dedicated children’s emergency department is underway at University Hospital Geelong.
Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas revealed designs for the $20 million project in February.
“This multi-million-dollar project will provide kids in Geelong with faster access to the care and treatment they need and a safer and more suitable work environment for the region’s amazing health care workers,” she said.
A trip to the emergency department can be scary for kids, but designs for the new space revealed a child-friendly environment with calming, soft tones and décor to help minimise anxiety.
There’ll be 28 additional dedicated treatment spaces, including two fast-track and eight short-stay beds, new treatment rooms and support spaces, and a separate paediatric triage system and waiting area.
The Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) is delivering the project in partnership with Barwon Health.
Construction is due to be finished in July next year.
The project builds on more than $500 million from the 2022/23 state budget for the flagship Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
It will integrate with existing University Hospital Geelong services and deliver additional capacity through more birthing suites, extra maternity inpatient beds, more paediatric inpatient beds, and extra special care nursery cots.
