If you’ve read about the huge expansion of the emergency department at Clayton’s Monash Medical Centre, we have both good and some not so good news for you.

With works starting now, the Victorian government has pledged almost $80m for the upgrade which is set to be completed by 2022.

The long-term gain
The upgrade includes a dedicated children’s emergency department for an extra 7,000 sick kids, including a special low-sensory area for children with autism.

There will also be a section for complex care, and much more:

– 24 new emergency beds
– 10 new short stay beds
– A drug, alcohol and mental health hub for urgent care
– New waiting areas and procedure rooms
– Dedicated diagnostic imaging

The major real estate redevelopment will also improve the flow of traffic within and around the hospital, which is located 18 kilometres south-east of Melbourne’s CBD.

The improved traffic management will feature:
– Dedicated ambulance access
– A patient and visitor drop-off area.

The short-term pain
The hospital, including the existing emergency department, has said it will continue to operate at “full capacity” throughout the construction period. However, that could mean some extra pain for the 100,000 people getting to and from the site throughout the year.

That is because the redevelopment includes work to the actual roads around the hospital, including:
– Electrical works on Dixon Street
– Two new traffic lights on Clayton Road
– Works to improve traffic flow on Clayton Road

A second entrance to the hospital, including removal of the roundabout and widening of the road.

The hospital has advised that the improved traffic conditions will not only improve local traffic conditions and make it easier to access and visit the site for the public, but speed up access for ambulances and other hospital vehicles. Currently, ambulances carrying patients who are critically ill are sharing the hospital entrance with hospital visitors and even delivery trucks.

“Every effort is being made to minimise noise, dust, and disruption,” Monash Health said.  “There will be sometimes when lane closures and pedestrian detours cannot be avoided.”

Short-term pain for long-term gain
Director of emergency medicine Dr Rachel Rosler admitted to the Herald Sun that there will be “a lot” of disruptive works, including times at which local roads will be completely blocked off.

But she says the short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain.

“It represents a significant increase in both capacity and also making it more contemporary,” said Dr Rosler.

“It will just be much easier to deliver quality care with the space.”

With heavy investment in infrastructure set for Clayton in the future, now is the perfect time to invest. Contact our real estate agency located in Clayton on 99757888 or visit our office at 18 Dunstan Street Clayton VIC 3168.