Disruption expected with hospital building works
Major building works to cope with growing demand for West Gippsland Hospital services will get underway this week.
The $9.3 million project funded under the State government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund will provide an eight-bed short stay unit alongside the emergency department and a third operating theatre.
A new roadway to be built across the lawn area at the front of the main hospital building will create a new patient drop-off area and more parking spaces.
However, chief executive officer Dan Weeks foreshadowed there would be some significant disruptions for people visiting the hospital while the work is undertaken over the next 12 months.
The main public access areas affected will be the main hospital entry from Landsborough St, entry to the emergency department and Cooinda Lodge nursing home, the rear car park drop-off area and car park above the consulting suites and access to the hospital via doors near the cafeteria.
Mr Weeks said that because the projects were taking place simultaneously there would be unavoidable disruptions for visitors, staff and patients especially relating to traffic management.
He said regular updates would be posted on the hospital’s website, throughout the hospital and in local media.
Mr Weeks said the new facilities were not part of the longerterm plans for the WGH but would give much-needed additional short term capacity to meet demand for services.
The short stay unit will relieve accommodation pressure in the emergency department, streamline service for patients and make more beds available in inpatient units but during the construction stage requires closure of the roundabout and patient drop-off area at the front entrance to the hospital.
People attending Cooinda Lodge will need to park at the rear and enter via the rear doors.
Reserved parking spaces for those attending Cooinda and those set aside for disability parking will be moved closer to Landsborough St and a temporary allabilities ramp will provide access to the main hospital entrance and the emergency department.
Staff, patients and visitors attending the Mary Sargeant building and the rear offices and meeting rooms should use the cart park in Ley St.
The new roadway at the front of the hospital will disrupt entry from Landsborough St at times and the footpath closest to the front of the main building will be closed.