Planning permit application documents have been submitted and are currently out for advertisement for the redevelopment of St John of God Ballarat Hospital.

The plans show a massive extension to the hospital at its Drummond Street frontage, with the new addition to be built above the existing car park and spaces to be retained underneath. The existing hospital building would remain with the new building and there will be a new front entrance.

The redevelopment would allow for an internal reconfiguration of the hospital's existing clinical areas and provide an additional 30 inpatient beds and two new operating theatres.

A new 10-bed intensive and critical care unit is also planned to be part of the redevelopment, increasing the hospital's ICU capacity by three additional beds, along with a new central sterile services department.

The new building is not proposed to interfere with Bailey's Mansion building which has been on the site since 1883. The hospital was established by the Sisters of St John of God and opened on May 9, 1915, operating out of the mansion before expansion throughout the 20th century.

IN OTHER NEWS:

According to the St John of God website, the project will be put out to tender in January with a builder to be appointed in April before the build commences in May. The redevelopment is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2023.

St John of God Health Care said the design involved 'comprehensive user consultation with department representatives and hospital executives to ensure the useable floor space had been maximised to provide best practice outcomes'.

"During this period the design team has also worked towards finalising the concept for the new external facade, integrating St John of God Health Care's core values of hospitality, compassion, respect, justice and excellence. These have been highlighted through the new entry, tower and landscaping, whilst maintaining a focus on the important heritage and history of Bailey's Mansion."

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.