Stage one of Willaura Hospital redevelopment to commence

Willaura Health Care is set to mark another significant milestone in its history, with Stage One of the redevelopment of the acute area commencing soon.

Members of the Willaura community were invited to visit the hospital and hear about the project from East Grampians Health Service staff including Chief Executive Nick Bush, Director of Support Services Scott Wilson, Willaura Health Care Manager Liz Atkinson, and Project Clinical Lead Leeanne Atkinson, showing great interest in the project and providing valuable feedback.

The $3.425 million project will deliver a contemporary acute care environment, including five acute beds, each incorporating a modern hospital room and private ensuite facilities. The redevelopment will also provide a dedicated quiet area for inpatients, creating a more comfortable and welcoming environment for patients and their families.

The redevelopment builds on a proud history of healthcare provision in Willaura, dating back more than 90 years.

In 1935, the Willaura Bush Nursing Hospital was built to address the district’s critical need for local medical care. The hospital was officially opened on August 22 1935, establishing an important healthcare service that has continued to evolve alongside the community.

Now, more than 90 years after the original hospital opened its doors, Willaura Health Care is preparing for its next chapter.

Mr Wilson said the Stage One redevelopment represents a significant investment in the future of local healthcare and will ensure Willaura continues to provide contemporary, high quality facilities for patients, staff and the broader community.

“As part of the Stage One redevelopment, the existing doctor’s clinic located beside the Willaura Hospital will need to be removed to make way for the new front entrance to the hospital,” he said.

“The clinic holds an important place in the history of the Willaura community, having been donated by Nellie May Morton. While the building will no longer remain on the Willaura Healthcare site, every effort will be made to ensure it is given a new purpose.

“A specialist removals company will relocate the building from the site, with members of the community having the opportunity to contact the company and explore the possibility of purchasing the building for future use.

“Importantly, any funds received by East Grampians Health Service from the removal and sale of the building will be reinvested directly into capital works. This will help support and enhance the new hospital development and ensure the value of this community asset continues to contribute to the future of healthcare in Willaura.”

Mr Wilson said the doctor’s clinic will relocate to the Community Health building, ensuring the medical service continues to be available to the Willaura community.

A dedicated waiting room and doctor’s consulting rooms will be established within the Community Health building to accommodate the ongoing service.

“This relocation will allow the existing clinic site to be cleared for the new front entrance to the redeveloped hospital, while ensuring patients continue to have access to local medical services,” he said.

“The redevelopment of the five acute rooms and dedicated quiet room will be linked directly to the existing hospital building, creating a seamless connection between the new and existing facilities and bringing the service together as one integrated healthcare environment.”

POP Architecture has been engaged to design the new building and surrounding areas at Willaura Health Care. The design has been developed with the local rural setting in mind, with the plans, finishes and overall feel of the development intended to complement the existing environment.

While the redevelopment will provide a contemporary clinical setting, consideration has also been given to creating a warm, welcoming and comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff.

The tender process for the Stage One redevelopment has now closed and the submitted tenders will now progress through a formal evaluation process, which will help ensure the successful builder has the appropriate experience, capability and understanding to deliver the project to the required standard.

Once the evaluation process has been completed and a builder appointed, detailed construction timeframes will be established.

At this stage, construction is anticipated to commence in late October or earlyNovember 2026, subject to the completion of the tender evaluation, appointment of the successful builder and finalisation of the construction program.

Mr Wilson said Stage Two and Three are currently pending funding.

Stage Two will consider further improvements to Parkland House, the aged care centre, and will hopefully be funded by the Federal Government.

This stage will include the development of two additional resident rooms, each with a private ensuite, along with a reconfigured common room area. The changes will provide residents with improved accommodation and a more functional and comfortable shared space.

Stage Three will focus on the development of a three bed sub-acute area, providing additional capacity for patients requiring sub-acute care. This area will also incorporate a dedicated living and lounge space, creating a more homely environment for patients during their recovery.

“Together, these future stages will build on the Stage One acute redevelopment and continue the long-term transformation of Willaura Health Care, providing contemporary facilities across acute, sub-acute and aged care services while maintaining the strong connection to the local community,” Mr Wilson said.