Third theatre helps meet surgical demand

West Gippsland Hospital’s newly constructed third operating theatre has taken its first surgical patients.

And, the healthcare group has welcomed an additional $1.25 million funding to allow more than 240 extra surgical cases this year.

The third theatre was opened to patients last Monday after 11 months in the making.

The new modern operating theatre will enable West Gippsland Healthcare Group to treat more patients waiting for surgery.

WGHG chief executive officer Dan Weeks said the opening was a significant celebration for staff and the community after months of construction work and delays to the internal fit out.

“This third theatre will enable us to treat more patients and make a positive impact on reducing elective surgery wait times.

“We are particularly grateful that an additional $1.25 million funding has been allocated to WGHG to allow an extra 240 elective surgery cases to be done this year.

Mr Weeks said while it was terrific to have a facility with all the bells and whistles, equally important was the team that is built around it.

“We are very proud of our staff and the quality of care they strive to deliver every single day,” he said.

Phil Harris, who was recently awarded a WGHG Life Governorship as recognition for his long standing contribution and clinical leadership, had the honour of being the first surgeon to operate in the new theatre.

The third operating theatre is one of three major projects undertaken at the hospital that were funded by the state government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).

A short stay unit to support the emergency department, new roadway and car park also were constructed last year in response to increasing demand for healthcare services.