Mr Bush said the redevelopment marked a significant chapter in the 90-year history of healthcare in Willaura following the opening of the Willaura Bush Nursing Hospital in 1935.
Mr Wilson said the stage-one redevelopment was an investment in the future of local healthcare and would ensure Willaura continued to provide contemporary, high-quality facilities for patients, staff and the community.
“As part of the stage-one redevelopment, the existing doctor’s clinic located beside the Willaura Hospital will need to be removed to make way for the new front entrance to the hospital,” he said.
“The clinic holds an important place in the history of the Willaura community, having been donated by Nellie May Morton.
“While the building will no longer remain on the Willaura Healthcare site, every effort will be made to ensure it is given a new purpose.
“A specialist removals company will relocate the building from the site, with members of the community having the opportunity to contact the company and explore the possibility of purchasing the building for future use.”
Mr Wilson said any money EGHS received from the removal and sale of the building would be reinvested into capital works at the site.
He said the doctor’s clinic would relocate to the community health building, with a dedicated waiting room and doctors’ consulting rooms.
“This relocation will allow the existing clinic site to be cleared for the new front entrance to the redeveloped hospital, while ensuring patients continue to have access to local medical services,” he said.
EGHS engaged POP Architecture to design the new building and surrounding areas, with a directive of creating a warm, welcoming and comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff.
A tender process for the stage-one redevelopment is now closed and EGHS will evaluate submitted tenders, appoint a builder and establish detailed construction timeframes.
Mr Wilson said he anticipated construction would commence in late October or early November, subject to the completion of the tender evaluation.
He said stages two and three of the redevelopment were currently pending funding.
Stage two includes improvements to aged-care centre Parkland House, with EGHS hoping to secure money from the Federal Government to fund works.
Plans include the development of two additional resident rooms, each with a private ensuite, along with a reconfigured common room area.
Stage three will focus on the development of a three-bed sub-acute area, providing additional capacity for patients requiring sub-acute care, as well as providing a dedicated living and lounge space.
“Together, these future stages will build on the stage-one acute redevelopment and continue the long-term transformation of Willaura Health Care, providing contemporary facilities across acute, sub-acute and aged care services while maintaining the strong connection to the local community,” Mr Wilson said.
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