Preparations for early works, related to the redevelopment of the Warrnambool Base Hospital in Victoria, Australia, are in progress. 

Hansen Yuncken has been appointed as the builder for the project, which will entail an investment of approximately A$384m ($252m).  

According to Victoria Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, early works, such as services upgrades and relocations, are set to commence in February. 

This project aims to deliver enhanced healthcare services to Victoria's south-west region. 

Start of work on refurbishment of the hospital comes after the completion of the new Regional Logistics Distribution Centre (RLDC). 

The RLDC, now operational, will play a crucial role in the hospital's supply chain, providing commercial linen services and advanced technology-led healthcare supply logistics to the hospital and over 50 regional health providers starting next month.  

This centre also features an automated storage and retrieval system designed to improve safety for logistics staff. 

The automated system will robotically pick and deliver the required healthcare supplies to workers at different stations for being packed and delivered. 

South-West Healthcare will relocate its laundry and healthcare supply services to the Cooper Street facility, transitioning from its current site where it processes over 170,000 goods and services requests and 1,400t of linen annually. 

Upon completion of this redevelopment, the Warrnambool Base Hospital will include a new multi-storey clinical services tower, 22 additional inpatient beds, an expanded emergency department, and more operating theatres. 

It will also feature dedicated pathology and dialysis areas along with parking facility to accommodate up to 400 cars.   

The project is anticipated to create nearly 800 jobs during the construction phase. It is expected to complete in 2027. 

Thomas said: “We are now another step closer to completing this significant redevelopment that will deliver Warrnambool and the south west world class health care close to home. 

“The new state-of-the-art RLDC will give the hardworking laundry and logistics team a safer, more modern workplace as they continue their important role of ensuring the hospital get the supplies they need.” 

Post redevelopment, Warrnambool Base Hospital will include an expanded emergency department, a clinical services tower, among others.