Hospital push

By Glen Atwell
A DANGEROUS shortage of emergency hospital services in Cranbourne has forced Casey Council to investigate the construction of a fully-fledged facility.
The regional hospital would feature a 24-hour emergency department and pharmacy, ensuring that Cranbourne patients being transported would not be forced to travel to Casey Hospital in Berwick or to Dandenong.
Casey has requested a report from the State Government detailing the future provision of hospital services in Cranbourne, after a motion put forward by Cr Beardon was carried at last week’s council meeting.
Cr Beardon said it was crucial that the City of Casey was aware of the state health system’s plan to deal with substantial population growth in Cranbourne.
“It is imperative that the State Government sits down with Casey and purchases land for a hospital now, and starts budgeting for a hospital and the associated operating costs,” he said.
“Council has asked the State Government to let us know how they intend to ensure local residents of Cranbourne (and district) are properly cared for, especially in an emergency,” he said.
“Casey has one of the largest youth and family populations in the country and will continue to grow faster than any municipality in Victoria.
“This area demands a 24-hour emergency department.”
The Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre, operated by Southern Health, is the region’s biggest elective surgery centre, but does not accommodate emergency admissions or surgery.
City of Casey acting director of community services Sophia Petrov recognised that the Sladen Street facility could not cope with Cranbourne’s growing population.
“The Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre is at capacity and services do need to be expanded to meet the growing needs of the community,” she said.
Cr Beardon said the facility had no room to expand. “It’s a half hospital, at best,” he said.
“The only solution is the construction of a new facility.”
David Banner, president of the Cranbourne and District Residents Association said work on a Cranbourne Regional Hospital needed to start now.
“Something has to be earmarked now to compensate for the growth in the south-east region,” he said.
“At the moment, with the lack of public transport and road infrastructure, Cranbourne residents are better off going to Frankston Hospital, not Berwick.”
“Casey has to be proactive about this, it’s an essential project,” Mr Banner said.
City of Casey acting manager of strategic development Keri Hoffman said council officers would respond to the issue of the potential for a hospital in Cranbourne once the State Government had outlined its plans.