THE Kilmore and District Hospital will lodge a detailed submission for $20 million in Federal funding to effectively double the size to 60 beds and expand the range of services available.
“If everything goes to plan, we could well have everything up and running by the beginning of 2014,” hospital chief executive officer Bart Ruyter said last week.
The hospital’s finance and administration director, Colin Clark, said it could well mean an additional 150 employees at the hospital, giving a flow-on boost to the local economy.
The Director of Nursing, Amanda Edwards, said the proposed major expansion would help take pressure off the existing doctors and nursing staff, and provide the hospital with the ability to do much more than it can at present.
A big “plus” in favour of the hospital’s application, to be lodged by December 3 is that the Department of Health and State Health Minster Daniel Andrews endorsed Kilmore’s application just before the government went into caretaker mode for the November 27 election.
“I would emphasise that this is only an application, and we are not guaranteed success, but the endorsements show that we are a priority project within our state,” Mr Ruyter said.
“The area-based service plan for southern Mitchell provides for this expansion to cater for growth needs, and if it goes ahead, it will also take pressure off the Northern Hospital,” Mr Ruyter explained.
The major areas considered for the 30-bed expansion of the hospital include surgical services, midwifery, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and acute medical.
Mr Ruyter said the proposal also includes an outpatient and primary health facility to improve the continuum of care for the Kilmore and district community.
Potentially, the outpatient facility may provide accommodation for ante and post-natal care, outpatient rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and a range of home services.
“We expect the facility will also provide consulting rooms for visiting specialist services, as well as other primary care health providers, thereby becoming a ‘one stop shop’ for our community,” the CEO said.
The opportunity to apply for the $20 million in capital funding arose after the recent Federal election. As part of negotiations to form government, a Health and Hospitals Fund of $1.8 billion was established to fund major capital projects for rural and regional communities.
Mr Ruyter said detailed site studies have shown there is sufficient room for new buildings, car parks and the like.
However, he admitted that the proposed upgrade may only meet demand for the next 10 to 15 years.
“The question then arises: can we expand further here, or do we have to look for a new site?”
Mr Ruyter said the board of management has worked hard towards the proposed redevelopment, and it was news that should gain unanimous community support.
“Back in 2004, the board took a decision to grow and develop, in line with the growth patterns for our area. Now we have the chance to put something on the ground.”
Whether Kilmore’s application is successful or not is expected to be known by March or April next year.
It is not known how many other applications from Victorian hospitals and health operators will be made.
Mr Ruyter said the historic bluestone section of the hospital would not be affected by the expansion plans.
Ms Edwards said the hospital “is a great place to work” and would be even better if the plans come to fruition, with great scope for student training development in medical, nursing and allied health fields.
Several acute rehabilitation beds and potentially four extra beds in midwifery are expected to be included in the submission to the Health and Hospitals Fund.
If the application is successful, recurrent funding of an estimated $10 to $12 million would be required from the state each year.
Mr Ruyter said the proposed expansion has the support of district MPs Ben Hardman (State) and Rob Mitchell (Federal).
“I would publicly like to thank the board for many years of effort in strategic planning, which has led to our ability to lodge the application so readily.
“I also wish to thank the Health Minister and the Department of Health for the support of our application,” he added.
