Coleraine Health Service Redevelopment
Plans are progressing for a proposed multi million-dollar redevelopment of the Coleraine campus of Western District Health Service.
Western District Health Service Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jim Fletcher (pictured) said, “that the master plan and feasibility plan had been endorsed by the Department of Human Services and the State Government had allocated funds for schematic design which is the next phase in the capital planning process”.
“The master plan and feasibility plan which included an assessment of existing building conditions at Coleraine and Merino identified structural deficiencies with infrastructure services, under floor, above ceiling, roofing and severe movement. In addition several of the current facilities no longer meet the requirements and design of a modern day health service. The exception is Mackie House, which is in very good and sound condition,” he said.
Mr. Fletcher said, “What we need to keep in mind is that some of the buildings, for example parts of the existing hospital building had served the community for in excess of 70 years whereas Mackie House is a recent building of 10 years. Our objective now is to build facilities that will service the community for the next 50 years and beyond.”
“Based upon the assessment of possible options, taking account of existing building conditions and the long term service needs it is essential to locate all bed based services onto one site to provide greater flexibility and accessibility for the ageing population and ensure the most efficient use of resourcing. Consequently all bed based services will be relocated and consolidated on the Mackie site with the Medical Clinic, Allied Health, Community Services and the Shire of Southern Grampians Maternal and Child program located directly across the road on the old Shire of Wannon office building site. A new facility will also be built in Merino on a new site to replace the existing building” he said.
A further indication of the Department of Human Services and State Government support has been the recent allocation of funds to purchase additional land to facilitate the redevelopment and relocation of services.