Victoria’s health minister Mary-Anne Thomas has revealed designs for the $48.7 million redevelopment of Swan Hill District Health emergency department in the northwest of the state.
Designed by Silver Thomas Hanley, the proposed emergency department and associated clinical spaces were developed through consultation and workshops with the staff and community stakeholders who use the hospital most.
The designs for the redevelopment will double the points of care of the existing facility to alleviate pressure on existing services and decrease wait-times for local patients.
The Victorian Health Building Authority said the clinical spaces have been designed to create a “welcoming atmosphere” as well as a “contemporary and efficient working environment for hospital staff”. These will replace the outdated emergency department with the addition of a four-bed short-stay unit, an isolation room and a behavioural assessment room.
Designs for Swan Hill District health emergency department development.
Image:
Silver Thomas Hanley
The VHBA said that improved facilities and expanded capacity will support the privacy of patients and ensure the hospital can meet the current and future health needs of the local community.
Acting chief executive at Swan Hill District Health Chloe Keogh said the hospital was “delighted” with the designs and looked forward to delivering better quality care for its patients.
“[The designs] are the culmination of a lot of dedicated people working together to design the best possible space within the area we have been afforded,” said Keogh.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the federal government, which is contributing $30 million towards the Swan Hill District Health redevelopment, with the remaining $18.7 million funded by state government.
Early works are expected to commence in the second half of 2022, with the project slated for completion in 2025.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
