The new state-of-the-art children’s emergency department at Geelong’s University Hospital is complete.
The $20 million facility at one of Victoria’s busiest hospitals will deliver specialised paediatric emergency care to the region’s growing population.
The new emergency department (ED) has been designed to provide a dedicated, calming space for families and is completely separate from the general ED.
Health Mary-Anne Thomas officially opened the emergency department in September, touring the facilities alongside local MPs Christine Couzens, Ella George, and Alison Marchant and meeting staff.
“This is a critical project for children and families across Geelong,” she said.
“It will help to meet growing demand in the region while ensuring care is delivered in a friendly environment for kids.
“We know that children present a whole range of special needs and challenges to our health services.
“It’s really important that an environment is created where the children themselves and their families feel that they have the time and a place where they can talk to clinicians about all of their concerns.”
The children’s ED includes 28 dedicated treatment spaces with two fast-track and eight short-stay beds, including new treatment rooms, support spaces, and a separate paediatric triage system and waiting area.
The project’s final stage included new clinical areas and a reconstructed main drop-off point for the emergency department.
Next up for Geelong families is the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s, which will be integrated into the existing University Hospital and provide world-class women’s health.
The new facilities will provide more birthing suites, extra maternity inpatient beds, more paediatric inpatient beds, and additional special care nursery cots.
