The Grand Old Lady of Gibb St joins the COVID-19 fight

19 Aug 2020

The hospital has a history of responding to the community in times of need having offered care during the 1919 pneumonic influenza epidemic to injured soldiers returning from WWI and sharing its nurses with the calling to war. 

The swift two week re-commissioning is yet another response to a call from the community and carries on this rich legacy.  

Since the facility was temporarily closed in 2018, when services transferred to the new St John of God Berwick Hospital at Kangan Drive, it was ready for re-purposing. 

Around 50 St John of God Health Care caregivers from across Victoria have volunteered to staff the centre led by newly appointed CEO, Linda Allen.

“The opening of the centre marks another important chapter in the health care history of Berwick but more importantly it means that we will be able to provide compassionate care for aged care residents who need our support and care at this very difficult time,” she said. 

“To have commissioned this hospital in record breaking time is testament to the caregivers of St John of God Health Care, with contributions and support from caregivers all over the country.”

St John of God Health Care Group CEO Dr Shane Kelly praised the responsiveness of caregivers from across the organisation for volunteering to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our community. 

“The aged care sector has been hardest hit by this pandemic and we are humbled to be able to contribute by operationalising the St John of God Langmore Centre in Berwick,” he said.  

“As Victoria continues to experience significant numbers of COVID-19 positive patients, many stories are emerging of our caregivers going above and beyond and those who supported this initiative are a shining example of this.”  

St John of God Berwick Hospital received 30 aged care residents, who had been exposed to the virus, at short notice in early August. Once recovered, aged care residents can now transfer to St John of God Langmore Centre for ongoing residential-style care until the State Government deems it safe for them to return home.