A major milestone in the $8 million expansion of Maroondah Hospital in Ringwood East is complete with the opening of a refurbished inpatient ward.
Visiting the hospital today, Health Minister Daniel Andrews opened Ward 3 East providing six additional surgical beds, two specialist rooms for obese patients, and two specialist rooms for patients with infectious diseases.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to deliver world-class health services close to where people live,” Mr Andrews said.
“This exciting hospital expansion and upgraded inpatient ward will significantly boost the capacity of Maroondah Hospital to treat more patients and meet the growing demand for health services in the outer east.”
“This exciting hospital expansion and upgraded inpatient ward will significantly boost the capacity of Maroondah Hospital."
Mr Andrews said the expansion would provide additional beds by refurbishing Ward 3 East, plus another ward, 1 East, and the fourth operating theatre with an expanded recovery unit.
“The first part of that expansion is now complete with the refurbishment of 3 East creating an additional six surgical inpatient beds,” he said.
Mr Andrews said the newly-refurbished ward has two bariatric rooms designed to assist in the care of patients weighing up to 450kg.
“These rooms with ensuite are fitted with lifting hoists and are designed larger than the standard rooms,” he said.
“The upgraded ward also features two negative pressure rooms to enable the isolation of patients with infectious diseases.”
Mr Andrews said other construction works in the expansion were also currently underway, including works on the fourth operating theatre and the expansion of the recovery area, expected to be completed by mid-next year.
The fourth theatre is expected to be completed in December and the recovery area in March 2009.
“Works have also started to upgrade facilities in Ward 1 East which will provide an additional 30 beds,” Mr Andrews said.
Ward 1 East is expected to be completed in March 2009.
Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Brian Tee MLC said it was anticipated the expansion would enable more patients to be treated and help boost the hospital’s elective and emergency service performance.
“This state-of-the-art refurbishment is a welcome boost to local health services, and comes on top of record funding of nearly $413 million for Eastern Health this year.”