Epworth project gets shot in the arm

Posted: 7th Jun

THE Epworth Geelong Hospital will receive a $2.85 million boost from the State Government's Regional Growth fund today.

 

In town to visit Deakin University as part of the regional cabinet, Deputy Premier and Regional Development Minister Peter Ryan will announce the funds will go towards infrastructure to support the hospital - a signal-controlled intersection, new road construction, sewerage, gas, electricity and communications.

The boost will add to $277 million committed by the Epworth Foundation, the Federal Government, Deakin University and the Marcus Oldham College for the fully operational teaching hospital, which will serve the Greater Geelong, Colac-Otway, Golden Plains, Queenscliff and Surf Coast areas.

Stage one of the project will deliver 302 beds comprising 254 in-patient, eight special care nursery cots and 40 day suites, plus nine operating theatres, two catheter laboratories and two procedure rooms.

More than 2,400sq m will also be available for retail, pharmacy, consulting, pathology and imagining leases.

"The Epworth Geelong Hospital will create a healthier local community and a healthier economy for the people of Geelong," Mr Ryan said.

"Located right next to Deakin University's Waurn Ponds campus, the project will combine a comprehensive acute and rehabilitation private hospital with purpose-designed training and education programs for medical, nursing and allied health students and staff.

"When complete, the Epworth Geelong Hospital development will provide 780 direct jobs, stimulate 4500 additional indirect jobs and contribute $88 million a year to the Victorian economy.

"In addition, around 800 jobs will be created during stage one of construction."

Deakin vice-chancellor Jane den Hollander said the extra funding was "very welcome" to help build a state-of-the-art precinct to train tomorrow's medical professionals.

"Our Waurn Ponds campus is home to a world-class health teaching and research precinct for regional Victoria, comprising the new $47 million regional community health hub building opened earlier this year and our medical school which has a growing reputation for excellent medical graduates," Professor den Hollander said.

 

 

Anthea Cannon

 

June 3rd, 2013

Geelong Advertiser

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/06/03/366235_news.html