The Master Plan for the Daylesford Hospital has been released by Central Highlands Rural Health.
Maree Cuddihy, CEO of Central Highlands Rural Health said, The Masterplan includes a physical assessment of the condition of the existing buildings and engineering infrastructure, a review of the services we have been providing, and those that might be important in the future.”
The plan will cost about $40 million to complete if it is approved by the Victorian State Government. It includes renovated, upgraded and expanded aged care, new wards, increased space for dialysis, shared rooms replaced with single rooms, improved disability access and new community health facilities.
The release of the plan follows a community campaign by the Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Appeal committee in 2021. The Committee raised over $100,000 to fund the plan.
Committee Chair, Cr Lesley Hewitt, said “The Daylesford and surrounding residents need access to local health care now and into the future. Access to modern health facilities shouldn’t be determined by postcode – all Victorians should have up-to-date facilities. It is essential that we act today to protect the future of the Daylesford Hospital and thus the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and neighbours. The Committee is thrilled to have raised the funds needed for the Masterplan in just 8 weeks with support from the Community Bank Daylesford District. This goes to show that there is strong community support for the redevelopment.”
Daylesford Hospital was officially opened on 22 May 1862. It is celebrating 160 years of serving the people of Daylesford and the surrounding districts!
It is now generally recognised that the Hospital will need work to meet the needs of the community for the future.
Central Highlands Rural Health has worked with an expert team of engineers and architect consultants, led by Blight, Blight & Blight Architecture to develop plans for the future.
Central Highlands Rural Health consulted the community and key stakeholders on the health needs of the community and key ideas to create a vision and structured Masterplan for the redevelopment of the Daylesford Hospital precinct on its current site.
The importance of respecting the history of the site was a central theme which came out of the consultation process, with a clearer definition of community needs and the potential to connect these services within a new facility.
As well as understanding the past, the consultation process defined a vision of health services of the future, with an increase in community services and delivery of health services in a more open, higher amenity facility with greater connection to landscape, natural light and ventilation.
Peter Matthews, Chair of the Board of Directors, said, “The Board is proud to present the Masterplan and its aspirational design for the redevelopment of Daylesford Hospital in its 160th year and looks forward to working with stakeholders to realise the project.”
The Masterplan sets out a structured and staged vision to maintain current services and allow for future expansion of health services based on community needs, as defined by the Department of Health. The planning process has been lengthy, but the level of investigation and resolution has created a plan which is both practical and visionary in the short and long term. It sets out a long-term vision for the site, which will provide a roadmap for the community to ensure that critical health services are maintained for the community within the community.
All are welcome to view the ‘Daylesford Hospital 160 Year Celebration and Masterplan Presentation’ exhibition that will be on display at the Daylesford Historical Society (100 Vincent Street, Daylesford) from 10:00-2:00 daily for a week opening on Sunday 22 May. The exhibition will feature images and items from the hospital’s incredible history as well as images of the Masterplan. Recently, Mary-Anne Thomas MP and Hepburn Shire councillors viewed the Masterplan and provided positive feedback on the designs.
