Public healthcare service Bass Coast Health (BCH) has awarded a contract to Australia’s SJ Higgins Group to build the Phillip Island Community Hospital in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia.

Ground has broken on the project, and according to Sentinel-Times, State Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale and BCH CEO Jan Child marked their presence during the ground-breaking ceremony.

Expected to launch in December next year, the new hospital on Phillip Island’s Cowes township will be operated by BCH.

It will be delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, who, along with BCH, worked with a Community Consultation Committee on the facility’s design.

The new two-storey multi-million dollar facility will include a larger urgent care centre for treating people suffering from minor, non-emergency medical issues.

It will also house two operating theatres to perform gastroscopy, colonoscopy, dermatology, ophthalmology, as well as other non-complex surgeries.

Furthermore, the hospital will provide low-complexity dialysis, chemotherapy, and dental services, as well as feature a radiology precinct to carry out CT scans, ultrasounds and general X-rays.

A central sterile supply unit will service the theatres and dental unit.

The facility’s main reception space will link clients to public meeting rooms while a non-retail pharmacy will offer medication internally.

This project is expected to alleviate the burden of BCH’s existing Wonthaggi Hospital, which can now focus on emergency care, acute health problems, and more complex surgeries.