FRANKSTON Hospital could be set to receive a major facelift, after the state Labor government promised $562 million for its ongoing development should the party be re-elected in November.
Plans for the hospital include a new 11-storey building housing 120 new hospital beds, two operating theatres, and 13 emergency department beds.
Premier Daniel Andrews visited the hospital on 10 September to announce that a re-elected state Labor government would deliver on the project.
“We said we’d build a bigger emergency department at Frankston Hospital and we have, but there’s more to do,” Mr Andrews said.
“Only Labor will transform Frankston Hospital to give the growing number of young mums and families the world class healthcare they can rely on.”
Work on the proposed project will start in 2020, and is projected to finish in 2024.
Twelve new short stay emergency beds were recently opened at the hospital and work is underway on a crisis hub for the emergency mental health care centre.
Two levels of the 11-storey hospital building will be used for mental health services.
A new maternity ward, obstetrics ward, women’s clinic, paediatric ward, oncology ward, and special care nursery are also among the planned additions to the hospital.
Early plans for the new building show the 11-storey building split into two towers.
Frankston mayor Cr Colin Hampton described Mr Andrews’ election promise as a “fantastic outcome”.
Council has been supporting relocation of the Frankston Tennis Club to make way for the hospital expansion. The club occupies the crown land required for the project.
“To ensure this 127 year old club’s rich history remains alive and well, council has developed plans for a proposed new multi-sport complex at Centenary Park in Langwarrin,” Cr Hampton said.
“We have already committed $11 million towards delivering the project, but we still need state and federal governments to contribute an equal share which will give Frankston Tennis Club and Bayside Gymnastics Club a new home.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 18 September 2018
