10 years of local healthcare

Jim Selimovski, Anne-Marie Horsburgh, Sandi West, Evelyn Garton (Supplied) 230354_01

Jessica Micallef

Western Health has celebrated 10 years at the Sunbury Day Hospital.

Construction of the $21.9 million building began in August 2009 and was completed in December 2010.

The dialysis unit accepted it’s first patient on February 7, 2011 before the building officially opened on February 27, 2011.

In April 2011, the day procedure unit undertook it’s first surgical list.

The hospital now offers day surgery, dialysis, specialist clinics and day medical services.

Sunbury Hospital nursing director Nicole Davies said celebrating 10 years of the Sunbury Day Hospital was a great achievement.

“It provides an opportunity for all of the staff here to reflect on the service they are providing to the Sunbury community,” she said.

“We’ve really come a long way. In recent years, there has been an expansion in dialysis services due to increase in community demand.

“The Sunbury community is very passionate about the local health service and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

As part of the 2020-21 state budget, more than $66 million will go to the construction an expansion of 10 community hospitals across the state, including expansion of the Sunbury Day Hospital.

Once complete, the expanded hospital will have extra treatment and plaster rooms, diagnostic services including x-ray, ultrasound and CT scans, a pharmacy and pathology lab and a separate reception and waiting area.

Construction is due to start next year and is expected to be completed in 2023.