BENDIGO Health is not expecting funding for a redevelopment of the city’s public hospital in this year’s state budget. The organisation’s chief executive John Mulder said while the hospital redevelopment was on the agenda, it was unlikely to be funded in the May budget. “The key priorities for the 2008 state health budget are for growth funding to address the increasing number of patients requiring care, to receive capital funding for both an interim solution to the Emergency Department space constraints and for the relocation of the 60-bed Stella Anderson nursing home,” he said. “Over the remainder of 2008 Bendigo Health will complete the business case and associated planning for the redevelopment of the Bendigo Hospital in readiness for the May 2009 state budget.” Bendigo Health revealed in December last year it would push for an urgent multi-million upgrade to its emergency department in this year’s budget. The hospital is seeking up to $10 million for an immediate re-build of the department. Mr Mulder said the upgrade was needed to tide the emergency department over until the $400 million redevelopment of the total hospital site was finished. “We are talking with government about a stage zero,” he said. “Essentially, it is an interim solution for our emergency department pressures and some infrastructure in terms of mechanical and electrical services to ensure the hospital can cope with present demand and continues to function in the lead up to the re-building of the service. “The intent is to add another floor on top of the building, which would allow all of the administrative components within the building to move upstairs.”
