Friday October 18, 2024
I’m delighted to update you all on the latest news for Barwon Women’s and Children’s project.
Works at the Youang Surgery Centre to create an Endoscopy and Day Procedure Hub continue to track well. This project will enable us to relocate services from the Gretta Volum Centre (GVC), clearing the way for it to be demolished in early 2025 – paving the way for the Barwon Women’s and Children’s.
The project is on schedule, and builder Kane Constructions are currently completing external structure and face works as well as internal fit out works.
We expect to open the new day procedure hub in the Youang Surgery Centre in late March 2025.
Things are also moving along with the main works and the project team have recently completed schematic design and they are now working with key staff across Barwon Health on the detailed design.
There are new images of the building including a first look at interiors – which you can see in the video.
The local community is helping shape the Barwon Women’s and Children’s through extensive consultation, including an online survey, workshops, and the project’s Community Consultative Committee. A summary of what we heard and how input is shaping designs was also released today via a Consultation Summary Report. You can read the report here LINK.
Local input was sought on topics including the community’s aspirations and values for the project, accessibility, wayfinding, cultural safety, and the look and feel of the new facility.
The input from the community has been shared with the project’s architects as they continue to develop the facility’s detailed design. Final designs for the Barwon Women’s and Children’s are expected to be completed later this year, along with the commencement of main construction works.
With contemporary, purpose-built facilities, the Barwon Women’s and Children’s will increase our capacity to provide care for women and children with additional beds, birthing suites, operating theatres, and specialist clinic rooms.
Finally, as the biggest public health infrastructure project in our history, we expect there will be disruptions across University Hospital Geelong.
Our team are currently working hard to plan and minimise the impact where possible.
This is a very exciting project that will really start to take shape at the end of this year however the disruptions shouldn’t be underestimated, and I appreciate the community’s patience while we work on this new facility that will have a huge impact on the care we provide women and children in our region.