Martin Foley hopes for a 2022 delivery of Geelong maternity hospital
Health Minister Martin Foley has revealed when the long-awaited new women’s and children’s hospital for Geelong is expected be delivered.
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The long-awaited Geelong Women’s and Children’s Hospital will hopefully be delivered “in the course of 2022”, Health Minister Martin Foley says.
Mr Foley said the facility, which was pledged in November 2018, has progressed, with its business case “well and truly developed”.
“We’ve been in close consultation with Barwon Health and a whole range of other service providers,” Mr Foley said.
“I look forward to exciting announcements about the next stage of that important facility in the very near future.”
Mr Foley said given the rate of growth for families in the Barwon region, he understood the need in the community for the facility.
“The most recent advice I saw was (that) this area is, when it comes to kids, amongst the fastest growing regions in the country,” he said.
“The need for this new facility that the Victorian government’s committed to grows every day.
“Families are flocking to this region, and families who are living here are having kids.
“The need for a dedicated support hospital and facilities and everything that goes with it for kids and women in this community is amongst this government’s top priorities when it comes to health infrastructure.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), there were 3028 births recorded in the Greater Geelong region in 2020.
This was an increase from 2923 in the region in 2019, according to ABS.
Mr Foley said he would “certainly hope” the facility is delivered “in the course of 2022”.
The state and federal government have committed more than $150 million for the project’s delivery, including $50 million promised in the 2019 federal budget.
Mr Foley spoke about the progress of the hospital’s development on Tuesday when he visited the new alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility in Corio.
The 30-bed facility welcomed its first residents this week, who will have access to 24-hour care and support.
The facility will provide a structured therapeutic and home-like environment, aiming to allow people experiencing addiction to develop coping skills and address underlying issues to overcome alcohol and drug use.
Lara MP John Eren said “this brand-new facility is a perfect example of what happens when a strong community like Corio works together to achieve something great – this facility will save lives and help people get their lives back on track”.
The facility is part of a $52.1 million investment by the state government to build three new alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities in regional Victoria.
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Originally published as Martin Foley hopes for a 2022 delivery of Geelong maternity hospital
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