More Northern Health patients will be able to have surgery closer to home – and sooner – with a $17.3million upgrade of Broadmeadows Health Service due to start.
The upgrade will add four new theatres, as well as creating a new pharmacy, sterilisation service, radiology department and entrance to the dialysis service at the health hub.
The redevelopment has been funded by the state government, with works expected to start in coming weeks.
It is hoped the redevelopment will be finished by June 30, 2017.
Broadmeadows Health Service manager Belinda Scott said the four new theatres are the highlight of the project, as they will allow the service to double its surgical output.
Ms Scott said there was a “massive demand” for surgical procedures at Broadmeadows, with 500 procedures during July making it the busiest month on record.
In recent months, there has been an increase in demand for women’s health-related surgeries, as well as adult ear, nose and throat procedures, and general surgery, such as gall bladder removal.
Ms Scott said the two existing theatres will be retained and used for other purposes, but kept ready to cater for any rising demand.
She said the redevelopment would help Northern Health address waiting times for surgery, and enable Broadmeadows Health Service to carry out a greater number of surgeries that are considered to be less complex, which will free up operating theatres at Epping’s Northern Hospital.
Hospital performance statistics from the government reveal that Northern Health patients have the longest waiting times for elective surgery in the state,
As of June 30 this year, the median waiting time for elective surgery at Northern Hospital was 66 days – almost double the 37 days’ wait in June last year.
The median waiting time across the state in June this year was 31 days.
Northern Health patients requiring ear, nose and throat surgeries faced the longest delay, with the median waiting period 188 days.
The median waiting time for orthopaedic surgeries was 165 days, while patients requiring vascular surgeries waited about 122 days.
A spokeswoman for Northern Health said the hospital performed a record 7800 elective surgeries in 2015-16, as demand for health care in Melbourne’s north continues to grow.
She said in addition to redeveloping the Broadmeadows Health Service, Northern Health is also working with Kilmore District Hospital, Seymour Health Service, St Vincent’s Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital to help patients receive surgery in a timelier manner.
