Matt Hewson
The state government unveiled two major health and wellbeing projects in Geelong this week.
Wednesday marked the official opening of both the the new, state-of-the-art children’s emergency department at University Hospital and Central Geelong Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub on Moorabool Street.
Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas visited University Hospital to officially open the children’s emergency department on Wednesday morning, where she was joined by local members Christine Couzens, Ella George and Alison Marchant to tour the facilities and meet staff.
The emergency department includes 28 new beds, with two fast-track and eight short-stay beds as well as support spaces for children and their families.
Importantly, the children’s emergency department is completely separate from the general ED, which can often be a chaotic and noise-filled area.
The $20 million facility was delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Barwon Health and builder Kane Constructions, creating about 60 jobs.
Ms Thomas said the project was critical for children and families across Geelong and the surrounding region.
“We know that children present a whole range of special needs and challenges to our health services,” she said.
“What we have here with the Children’s Emergency Department is a specially designed facility, one that will help children feel more at ease, will help their families feel calmer and be able to deliver the very best information to the clinicians about the concerns that they have for their child’s health.
“It’s really important that an environment is created where the children themselves and their families feel that they have the time and a place where they can talk to clinicians about all of their concerns.”
Later in the day, Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt officially opened Geelong’s new four-storey Mental Health Hub in the heart of Geelong’s CBD.
Intended to deliver wraparound treatment, care and support, the $18 million hub provides access to a range of services including assessment, treatments and therapies, care planning and coordination, education, peer support and self-help.
The hub is also the new home of the Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, previously located in North Geelong.
Part of a network of 15 Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across the state, the free service provides care and treatment for adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including substance abuse and addiction.
“The Royal Commission told us Victorians find navigating the mental health system too hard,” Ms Stitt said.
“This mental health hub in the centre of Geelong means the community can easily access the type of care they need, when it is needed.”
