WORK is continuing on a new wellness complex to be included in the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre development in Drummond Street, but the facilities remain unfunded.
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Ballarat Health Services executive director of acute nursing and midwifery Leanne Shea told an open meeting of the BHS board last night that work on the $55 million cancer centre was continuing well ahead of its planned opening in 2013.
The wellness centre will be housed in the renovated Queen Victoria Building on the corner of Sturt and Drummond Street, with an atrium linking it to the new building under construction.
“The aims of the wellness centre are to provide an environment which supports the holistic needs of the patient, their friends and families,” Ms Shea said.
“We are still working through what that environment will look like and what services need to be and can be included.”
Ms Shea said the centre would include new concept waiting areas and services including internet access and social areas for patients and their family members.
“We are trying to provide a much prettier waiting area and a space where there can be educational opportunities but it is still early days,” she said.
After receiving funding of more than $50 million from the federal and state governments, BHS is seeking $2 million for the wellness centre. As much as $500,000 is expected to come from bequests to the centre, and community donations are sought for the remaining $1.5 million.
BHS chief executive officer Andrew Rowe told about 30 people gathered for the meeting that the regular open board meetings were designed to make the organisation more accessible and accountable to the community it serves, while providing up-to-date information on developments at the hospital.
thomas.mcilroy@thecourier.com.au
