By MICHELLE HERBISON
A $1.5 MILLION cost blowout for St John of God Hospital’s $65 million redevelopment has forced the launch of a community appeal.
Hospital spokesperson Taanya Widdicombe said higher-than-anticipated construction and tender charges meant St John of God had to “manage the costs of some elements” of the development.
“This has been done by creating, for example, shelled space that can be fitted out at a later date. We seek from the community support for those elements that have previously been removed from the scope of the project,” she said.
“This includes elements such as a rehabilitation therapy garden, numerous water features, shelled space in the emergency department and on level two and art work, to name a few.”
Appeal chair Frank Costa urged residents to involve themselves with the redevelopment, which would build on existing local health services and inject $34.8 million annually into Geelong’s economy.
“The hospital has a great reputation for care and plays an important role that extends into the community, including post-natal counselling, youth support and outreach, with much of this work going unheralded,” he said.
“It’s also important to consider that the continued building of a strong private not-for-profit hospital helps free up services in the public sector and that helps to support and strengthen our overall healthcare system.”
Ms Widdicombe said St John of God had so far provided all funding for the project without government support.
Hospital chief executive officer Stephen Roberts said the redevelopment was St John of God’s largest project undertaken in Geelong.
“The redevelopment has provided significant employment opportunity during the construction phase and at completion will create another 125 direct full-time jobs and support more than 70 jobs elsewhere in the local economy due to the flow on effects.”
Mr Roberts said St John of God had invested almost $100 million in the hospital over the past five years.
The hospital had prospered since 1974 because of its “unique bond” with the community, he said.
“Our vision is to strive to make SJG the best regional private hospital in Australia, delivering the best care we can.”
