The latest service has opened in the new $115m Wonthaggi Hospital.
The Acute Ward, which cares for medical and surgical patients, opened on Level 3 of the new hospital on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
The 32-bed ward is called Kodowlinun Ward, an Indigenous name meaning “I am better”. The name was gifted to Bass Coast Health by the Bunurong Land Council to recognise our Indigenous community.
Staff moved 14 patients from the old Acute Ward in the existing hospital and patients quickly warmed to their new rooms, illuminated with natural light, and offering a personalised television system, space and views across Wonthaggi and the hospital.
One of the first patients to be moved, Mark Scott, said the new facility was “fantastic”.
“It’s better than some of the motel rooms I’ve stayed in. The rooms are bright, refreshing very practical and user-friendly,” he said.
“It’s such a big difference from the old hospital to the new hospital and this will be a great way of improving the health of our community.”
Registered Nurse Carrie Grieve said she loves the new ward.
“It’s awesome. It’s open, it’s bright, it’s spacious, it’s everything,” she said.
“It was sad leaving the old ward because I had been there for 16 years but what we have now is like having a new lease of life.”
The new Acute Ward has so many features:
• Two high acuity beds for close observation
• A bariatric room
• An isolation room
• Paediatric beds for the future, once Paediatric inpatient care commences in the future
• 16 single rooms and 8 double rooms
• A patient lounge overlooking Wonthaggi.
Visitors to Kodowlinun Ward can access the ward by coming to Main Reception in the new hospital.