Revealed: Designs of Geelong hospital’s new $20m children’s emergency department

The designs of a children’s emergency department at Geelong hospital have been revealed. Here’s what it will offer.

Artist impression of the purpose-built children’s emergency department at Geelong hospital, aimed at meeting demand in the region. Picture: Supplied

The designs for Geelong hospital’s $20m children’s emergency department will be unveiled by the state government on Saturday.

The new addition to the hospital will aim to provide kids with the best care in a calm and reassuring environment.

Construction is expected to get underway this month and be finished in July 2024, with about 60 jobs to be sustained and created during construction.

The government said the purpose-built emergency department would be able to meet growing demand, with 28 additional treatment spaces including two fast-track and eight short-stay beds, with new treatment rooms and support spaces and a separate paediatric triage system and waiting area.

Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the multimillion-dollar project would be beneficial for both the region’s children and its workers.

An artist impression of the children’s emergency department, a “safe, calm and comforting environment”. Picture: Supplied

“This multimillion-dollar project will provide kids in Geelong with faster access to the care and treatment they need and a safer and more suitable work environment for the region’s amazing healthcare workers,” Ms Thomas said.

“We’re making sure kids in Geelong and the Barwon region get the quick, dedicated care they need so that they feel better sooner and in a safe, calm and comforting environment.”

The designs reveal a child-friendly environment with calming, soft tones and decor aimed at helping to minimise anxiety in younger patients as a trip to the emergency department can be stressful for them.

Geelong MP Christine Couzens said: “This significant investment will deliver state-of-the-art medical services for children, young people and their families in the emergency department at University Hospital Geelong.”

The purpose-built ED will include 28 additional treatment spaces. Picture: Supplied

The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with Barwon Health.

The project is part of a state government investment to deliver specially designed children’s emergency areas in some of the state’s busiest hospitals.

The investment builds on more than $500m from the Victorian Budget 2022-23 for the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The new hospital will integrate with existing Geelong hospital services and will deliver additional capacity with the aim of meeting increasing demand in the region.

Originally published as Revealed: Designs of Geelong hospital’s new $20m children’s emergency department