Crucial care: Bob and Lauren Knowles with their daughter Greta, 5, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2021, and Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley, who officially opened the new special care nursery and paediatric ward at GV Health. Photo: Rechelle Zammit.
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Rechelle Zammit
Goulburn Valley Health’s emergency department will double in capacity when works are completed in about two months’ time.
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It’s part of a $229.3 million redevelopment set to open fully later this year.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley toured the recently completed 10-cot special care nursery and 12-bed paediatric ward on Wednesday, June 15.
The redevelopment of the emergency department is on track for completion in August and will include 36 treatment spaces with nine short-stay beds, four paediatric emergency beds and four flex beds.
The works also include two new x-ray rooms, a CT scan room and ultrasound room.
Better facilities: Lauren and Greta have seen the change from old to new since redevelopment works began at Goulburn Valley Hospital. Photo: Rechelle Zammit.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Local family Bob, Lauren and five-year-old Greta Knowles have been regulars at GV Health since Greta was diagnosed with leukaemia last year.
“While she does receive a lot of her treatment in Melbourne, for emergency trips — of which we’ve had five since last school holidays — it makes a massive difference that we can come here rather than drive two hours to Melbourne,” Lauren said.
“The staff have been amazing throughout, but it’s made a big difference to us coming into a new, state-of-the-art facility that’s bright and fresh.”
The new paediatric ward has 12 beds and was designed to create a colourful and comforting environment for children.
Meanwhile the 10-cot special care nursery has the latest technology to provide care for fragile newborns and premature babies and their families.
Guided tour: GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp, state Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed and Health Minister Martin Foley in the new special care nursery. Photo: Rechelle Zammit.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp acknowledged the contribution of staff working through not only a redevelopment but a pandemic.
“It makes such a difference to our patients and their loved ones when they receive care and treatment in a nice, new, modern environment,” he said.
Mr Sharp said the refurbished, 12-bed maternity ward and upgraded birthing suite would make a huge difference to woman and their families when they moved in around August.
Welcome sign: The GV Health new special care nursery and child and adolescent unit.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The final part of the redevelopment is the refurbishment of existing operating theatres, expected to be completed by the end of the year.
These works are on top of the already delivered 16-bed dialysis unit and the five-storey inpatient unit, which includes 10 intensive care unit beds, 64 inpatient beds and four new operating theatres.
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