- Published:
- Sunday 13 May 2018
Victorians are one step closer to getting Australia’s first specialist, stand-alone heart hospital with a builder appointed and the first designs of the landmark hospital unveiled, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today visited Monash Medical Centre to reveal new artist impressions of the world-class $543 million Victorian Heart Hospital project.
The project will ensure all Victorian patients with heart disease can access the world’s best cardiac care, by bringing together cardiovascular treatment, ground-breaking medical research and training under one roof.
The artist impressions take cues from the tree-lined university campus to reveal a modern, cutting edge building that links closely with nature and the surrounding landscape to create a healing environment that puts patient needs and wellbeing front and centre.
The new hospital will have 195 beds, with the capacity to provide 2,000 cardiac surgeries each year, 13,500 cardiac laboratory procedures, and cater for 28,300 cardiac emergency presentations and 108,000 consultations.
Cardiac patients in country Victoria will also have direct access to the hospital through the latest telehealth technology, removing the need to travel for specialist appointments.
Meanwhile, the John Holland Group has been appointed as preferred tenderer. Early construction works will start later this year and the project is expected to be completed in 2022.
In a big win for the economy, 90 per cent of materials will come from local industries and more than 1,700 construction jobs will be created.
This year’s Budget invested $1.2 billion in hospital upgrades and equipment giving our hardworking doctors, nurses and paramedics the world-class facilities they need to deliver the very best healthcare.
While we invest, the Turnbull Liberal Government continues to rip funding from our hospitals. This year’s Federal Budget locks in plans to short-change Victorians by $2.1 billion.
The Federal Budget also fails to make any significant funding investments into health infrastructure projects for Victoria. Out of our massive investment into health and ambulance projects over the past four years, the Commonwealth has funded a negligible 0.3 per cent.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We know heart disease is one of the leading causes of death. That‘s why we’re getting on with building Australia’s first ever heart hospital, right here in Victoria.”
“The first designs show a world-class hospital that places patient needs and wellbeing at its very heart. It will save and change thousands of lives.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Our state is at the forefront of breakthroughs in treating heart disease. This hospital further cements our reputation as the world’s best and gives Victorian patients better access to the latest advances in cardiac care.”