By BRIDGET SCOTT
A $120 MILLION hospital which has been proposed for Berwick would create more than 100 jobs and would be due to open in 2017.
St John of God Heath Care (SJGHC) and Generation Healthcare REIT (GHC) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to explore the possibility of building a new state-of-the-art hospital along Kangan Drive, Berwick.
This hospital would host all of the current services which operate at the SJOG hospital along Gibb Street, Berwick.
This site would further be transformed through a redevelopment program, and deliver a new range of services, including rehabilitation programs.
The new hospital would be located opposite to Monash Health’s Casey Hospital, and adjacent to the specialist unit and oncology centre which is currently under construction.
Chief executive officer of SJGHC Lisa Norman said the construction would get underway in the middle of next year with plans for a number of additional services.
“The new hospital will deliver a contemporary new facility that will provide all our current services, with the addition of new services such as cardiac, intensive care and enhanced cancer services,” she said.
“The range of services that will be offered by the health precinct means that people living in Casey and Cardinia will not have to travel out of their community for the majority of healthcare services and there are few communities that have access to this range of services,” Ms Norman said.
Local general practitioner Dr Wes Jame, who has played an instrumental role at the hospital for many year,s said this would be a great addition to the area.
“This development will establish a wonderful health precinct which will benefit and enhance the community character,” he said.
