A result of a significant investment, the new facilities include a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit / Coronary Care Unit, four new operating theatres and an expanded recovery room, and a 30-bed inpatient ward.
St John of God Ballarat Hospital CEO Maria Noonan, who started as a student nurse at the hospital more than 40 years ago, said the redevelopment demonstrated St John of God Health Care’s continued support and commitment to the provision of regional and rural private health care in Victoria.
“This redevelopment is a true testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence in private health care and our ongoing mission to offer a place of healing and care for our community,” she said. “With these impressive new facilities, we can now meet the growing private health care needs of both the Ballarat community and the wider region.”
The new facilities complement the recently opened catheter lab and central sterile services, which are already supporting a wide range of cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures, and enhancing patient safety.
An opening event was attended by close to 100 caregivers, community members and special guests, including City of Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson, Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat Paul Bird, St John of God Health Care Trustees Chair Neville Owen AO and St John of God Health Care Group CEO Bryan Pyne.
Mr Pyne said the redevelopment and new wing meant better access to advanced private health care for our regional communities.
“It will ensure that our patients and their loved ones can have access to the very best care in a warm and welcoming environment, right here in their local community,” he said.
“The Ballarat hospital redevelopment is part of our ongoing organisational capital program along with St John of God Richmond, Subiaco, Geelong, Midland Private and Murdoch hospitals, which are all critical to delivering contemporary care close to home for our communities.”
Expansion projects at several other St John of God Health Care hospitals have been ushering in improvements to patient care and experience across our locations in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.