About the project
The Victorian Government has committed more than $500 million to deliver new and expanded women’s and children’s facilities in Geelong.
The new Barwon Women’s and Children’s will provide world-class women’s health (including maternity) and paediatric services and deliver additional capacity to ensure families in Geelong and surrounding communities can continue to access the very best care, close to home.
Managed by Barwon Health, the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s will be built within the University Hospital Geelong precinct. It will provide:
- more maternity inpatient beds
- more paediatric multi-day/same day inpatient beds
- more special care nursery cots
- more birthing suites
- more operating theatres
- expanded paediatric and maternity specialist (outpatient) facilities.
The community’s influence
The survey has sought and considered input on key areas of the design of the Barwon Women’s and Children’s including patient and family experience, indoor and outdoor spaces, accessibility and wayfinding.
The input captured in this report will be shared with the project team with the opportunity for feedback to be reflected in the final design of the Barwon Women’s and Children’s.
How we engaged
The VHBA led a community survey on the Engage Victoria portal from 24 October to 24 November 2023, to seek community input on what they would like to see in key areas of the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s.
The survey was published online via Engage Victoria and was promoted across the VHBA and Barwon Health social media channels, and shared with community and stakeholder groups via the Community Consultative Committee.
There were 422 survey submissions received.
What we heard
Participants were asked about their ideas and priorities around the themes of accessibility, welcoming space, family friendly spaces, artwork and spaces.
Accessibility
Respondents indicated a preference for:
- access to bike parking in obvious and safe areas
- close by, well-lit, free carparking
- proximity to public transport
- transportation options to and from appointments
- taxi rank, drop off pick up zone close to the entrance.
Welcoming space
Respondents indicated a preference for:
- clear wayfinding signage in multiple languages
- ample food and drink options
- reception/check-in to provide wayfinding information
- LGBTQIA+ representation and inclusive signage
- consideration of different cultural needs such as prayer rooms
- access to all gender bathrooms.
Family friendly spaces
Respondents indicated a preference for:
- quiet and private spaces in waiting areas
- fun, interactive play areas for children including fish tanks
- breastfeeding areas with comfortable chairs and spaces to clean and store pumping equipment
- sensory spaces for neurodiverse children
- pet-friendly areas for service animals and for family pets to be able to visit
- access to power points and charging stations.
Artwork
Respondents indicated a preference for:
- works created by locals or First Nations artists
- areas for showcasing children's/inpatients art on rotation
- imagery/art representative of Geelong community and local scenery
- interactive art that children can contribute to.
Landscaping
Respondents indicated a preference for:
- lush, calming, green plants
- shade for hot days and weather protection from rain
- soothing water features.
Feeling welcome
'Carparking, close, well-lit, with security cameras and/or security personnel frequenting the area. Alternatively, access to a shuttle bus for staff and patients to long term parking.'
'Pregnancy is one of the greatest risk situations for women. Being aware and respectful of Queer communities, not all parents are heterosexual and images need to be inclusive and diverse.'
'Use different themes/colour palettes to differentiate different areas [to improve wayfinding].'
'Carparking, close, well-lit, with security cameras and/or security personnel frequenting the area. Alternatively, access to a shuttle bus for staff and patients to long term parking.'
'Pregnancy is one of the greatest risk situations for women. Being aware and respectful of Queer communities, not all parents are heterosexual and images need to be inclusive and diverse.'
'Use different themes/colour palettes to differentiate different areas [to improve wayfinding].'
Indoor waiting areas and outdoor areas
'It would be lovely to see something at Barwon Health that creates a warm and welcoming space for children rather than something that is too clinical and can become easily overwhelming and frightening for them.'
'There needs to be facilities for women to breastfeed or express milk, in comfort and with dignity, designed into this facility.'
'Make the [outdoor] areas as quiet, relaxing and private as possible. Calming colours, water features.'
'High safety rails/fences. No surfaces that could be climbed on due to risk of falling/jumping. Soft flooring. Space for parents to stretch and breathe.'
'It would be lovely to see something at Barwon Health that creates a warm and welcoming space for children rather than something that is too clinical and can become easily overwhelming and frightening for them.'
'There needs to be facilities for women to breastfeed or express milk, in comfort and with dignity, designed into this facility.'
'Make the [outdoor] areas as quiet, relaxing and private as possible. Calming colours, water features.'
'High safety rails/fences. No surfaces that could be climbed on due to risk of falling/jumping. Soft flooring. Space for parents to stretch and breathe.'
Wayfinding and art
'Use different themes/colour palettes to differentiate different areas [for wayfinding].'
'Someone to ask that can access interpreters including Auslan.'
'Displays from current inpatients that choose to contribute. Artworks could be rotated monthly.'
'A water fountain or water feature would be calming in the outdoor space.'
'Use different themes/colour palettes to differentiate different areas [for wayfinding].'
'Someone to ask that can access interpreters including Auslan.'
'Displays from current inpatients that choose to contribute. Artworks could be rotated monthly.'
'A water fountain or water feature would be calming in the outdoor space.'
Next steps
Input from the community obtained via the survey has provided the Barwon Women’s and Children’s project team with:
- a clearer understanding of the priorities for Geelong and surrounding communities
- ideas and a vision for key spaces and areas in new Barwon Women’s and Children’s
- the issues and concerns that matter to seeking safe and accessible healthcare in Geelong and surrounding communities.
The project is currently in the design phase, and the ideas and priorities captured in the survey – together with the input gathered through other consultation forums – will be considered when developing the final design of the new Barwon Women’s and Children’s.
Find out more
- Learn more about the new Barwon Women's and Children's by visiting our dedicated project page.
- You can also receive updates about the project by joining our mailing list. Join by emailing our project team.
Keep up with our announcements on health projects by signing up to our online newsletters.
Download
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Barwon Women's and Children's: Community survey report
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- 0.17mb | 12 February 2024
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Last updated: 12 February 2024