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Year in Review 2016
Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst
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S
t John of God Bendigo Hospital welcomed many changes in 2016 with its $50m
redevelopment. Forty-four overnight beds have been added along with two additional
operating theatres. The increased bed capacity is across all disciplines – Surgical, Medical,
Rehab, Maternity and Critical Care. The new four-level wing on the Lily Street side is now
complete and refurbishment of all existing wards is underway. This is being achieved in
five stages so that full hospital services are maintained throughout the works. The Theatre
expansion will alleviate the chronic storage issues, update all the facilities, add two new fully
integrated theatres and enable patients to experience their pre- and post-operative care in the
same area.
Access to the hospital has also been improved with a new, large, sealed car park next to St
Francis House, with direct lift and stair access from Lily St, and a one-way driveway down from
the main entrance. Black Spot funding is also providing a new roundabout at the Lily/Chum
and Barnard streets intersection, which will improve vehicle and pedestrian traffic safety. One
level of the new wing is empty, to be fitted out as a new 28-bed ward in the next few years as
required, to meet the community’s need. Many caregivers, patient consumers and consultants
have been involved in this transformational project for SJGBH and our community. SJGBH
look forward to the redevelopment being complete in March 2017. Another major project for
2016 was the hospital’s new website
www.sjog.org.au.The new ‘Find A Dr’ feature has proved
to be a strong resource for the community.
Celebrations for 2016 at St John of God Bendigo included St John of God Day onMarch 8 which
saw Vicki Green (After Hours Manager) awarded the 2016 St John of God Award. Vicki has
been a valued member of the team since starting at the hospital in 1988. The hospitals annual
NAIDOC Art Exhibition in July featured artwork from five local Aboriginal artists. Money
raised from the event went to La Trobe University Bendigo’s Indigenous Unit. Foundation Day
in October marked 145 years since the founding of the Sisters of St John of God in Wexford,
Ireland, on October 7, 1871.
St John of God Bendigo, Hospital, also celebrated its 55th anniversary, the 50th anniversary
of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and presentations of Caregiver Valued Service Awards. One of the
highlights of the day was awarding caregiver, Deb Johnson, with her 40-year Service Award. St
John of God Bendigo, Hospital, has a strong link with Catholic healthcare after being run by
the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood Sisters and then the Sisters of Mercy
Health.
$50m works go forward at
St John Of God Hospital
IDENTITY & COMMUNITY