New Wantirna health facility to help Vic aged
Residents of Melbourne’s east now have better access to rehabilitation and palliative care services after the opening of the $30 million Wantirna health facility.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the new 60-bed sub facility was a boon to community health services in the region and included 30 palliative care beds, 30 geriatric rehabilitation (GEM) beds and a community rehabilitation centre.
The 30-bed geriatric rehabilitation facility is a specialist service with a significant community focus, providing much-needed new services and relieving the pressures on the Peter James Centre and Maroondah Hospital.
The 30 palliative care beds will cater for patients with chronic diseases following a stay in hospital and patients will benefit from the comprehensive assessment and care provided by multiple health disciplines in an integrated, planned and streamed manner.
Mr Andrews said that once patients no longer needed the support of an inpatient facility, they could be discharged to their homes but continue their rehabilitation in the community rehabilitation centre.
“This relocation will greatly enhance communication between inpatient and home-based services,” Minister Andrews said.
He added that the new complex also embraced the latest in environmentally sustainable design, including water tanks that can collect up to 8.5 million litres of water from the roof for toilet and shower use; solar hot water heating; hydronic floor slab heating and cooling; energy efficient lighting and the use of environmentally friendly building materials throughout.
