Torquay hospital to grow

Premier doesn’t rule out overnight beds

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has refused to confirm that the proposed Torquay community hospital will include overnight beds, but says it may do in the future.

The State Government is investing $675 million to build 10 community hospitals in major growth areas like Torquay.

Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson maintains the Torquay hospital is not a hospital if it doesn’t include overnight beds, likening it to a community health facility.

But Mr Andrews insists the facility will grow with the community and could offer different services at different times of the year depending on demand.

“We’re having a proper process of community consultation, listening to local residents and working very closely with Barwon Health,” Mr Andrews said.

“This will be about things like chemotherapy, proper dialysis support and a whole range of medical services.

“It may change over time, and it may have a different profile over its life.

“Given we see the number of people in this community fluctuate so dramatically throughout the year, it might even offer different services over different hours at different times of the year.”

The State Government says the range of services offered at each hospital will be tailored for each community.

Community hospitals aim to provide a broad range of ambulatory hospital, community health and social care services within the one place, making it easier for families, patients, carers and clients to receive the services they need closer to their homes.

“This is all about making sure that people don’t need to travel into Geelong for the care that they need,” Mr Andrews said,

“But there will always be some care that they have to leave this community for because it wouldn’t be safe to try and pretend and offer it here (Torquay) at a very local level.”

The Premier said he would not rule out the introduction of overnight beds should demand warrant it.

“Let’s wait and see how the consultation unfolds but this is a community hospital,” he said.

“I wouldn’t rule it out though, we’re going to buy enough land so this (hospital) can grow. Where it starts and where it finishes will be two different things.

“As Armstrong Creek continues to fill out we see more and more demand for health services across this region.”

Construction of the Torquay Community Hospital is expected to start in 2022 and be complete in 2024.