Napthine-Davis – New, state-of-the-art 24-bed ICU opened at Geelong Hospital

· New state-of-the-art 24-bed Intensive Care Unit open at Geelong Hospital
· ICU is part of $200 million investment in additional health capacity in Geelong
· Victorian Coalition Government building a better health network for all Victorians

Geelong Hospital’s new, state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will provide patients with critical care services, expert staff and equipment to treat life-threatening conditions from next week.

Officially opening the ICU today, Premier Denis Napthine said the Victorian Coalition Government was investing in new facilities to deliver world-class health care.

“This ICU is an outstanding new facility for Geelong patients requiring critical care, and delivers an additional six beds compared with the old ICU,” Dr Napthine said.

“The facility also features better linkages with operating theatres and includes two beds for paediatric patients.

“It will not only boost health outcomes in the Barwon region, it will provide a much greater level of comfort for patients and their families who are experiencing difficult circumstances,” Dr Napthine said.

The new ICU project is part of the Coalition Government’s $200 million investment in Geelong health infrastructure which also includes the new
$28 million Barwon Health-North facility and $50.2 million for a community hospital at Waurn Ponds.

Minister for Health David Davis said investing in health infrastructure in Geelong was pivotal to addressing the increasing demand for services.

“The Coalition Government recognises the benefits of health services closer to home in Victoria’s largest regional city,” Mr Davis said.

“Capital upgrades underway at Geelong Hospital include 24 new palliative care beds, 32 new medical/surgical beds, eight new oncology beds, 24 replacement oncology beds, eight sub-acute beds, 20-bed cancer accommodation and more,” Mr Davis said.

“Barwon Health-North will include an urgent care centre, which will offer non-emergency patients an alternative place to seek non-urgent care rather than a hospital emergency department.

“And on top of this we have increased funding to Barwon Health by 24.2 per cent – or $77.5 million – since coming to Government to ensure that Geelong residents continue to receive quality health care.”