The first sod has been turned on a $135 million expansion of Casey Hospital.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Jill Hennessy turned the turf and visited new-born Liam in the hospital’s maternity unit on 25 October, flanked by local MPs Luke Donnellan and Judith Couacaud Graley.
The expansion includes the hospital’s first 12-bed intensive care unit, 128 multi-day beds, 12 day surgical beds and six operating theatres.
Monash Health chief executive Andrew Stripp said the expansion would not just meet current demand of the rapidly-growing South-East but “future proof” the hospital for many years.
The hospital will treat 25,000 extra patients, perform an extra 8000 operations and support an extra 1300 births per year as a result.
The project includes a redeveloped emergency department short-stay unit, retail and cafe area and 330 extra car spaces.
The bigger hospital caters for Casey’s ‘baby boom’ of 86 newborns a week. By 2035, this is expected to rise to 126 babies a week.
Premier Andrews said it would allow families to access “high quality care they deserve, close to home”.
Ms Graley said “growing families need services closer to where they live”.
“I’m proud we’re putting them first with the world-class Casey Hospital revamp.”
During construction, 92 jobs – including 21 apprenticeships – will be created.
It is expected to be built by late 2019.
