Frankston Hospital redevelopment - Newsletter #6 | spring summer 2024

• works on the new mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) hub in the emergency department will continue
• roofing and cladding to the rooftop plantroom will be completed
• solar panels will be installed on the level 7 courtyard
• six internal lifts for workes and materials will be operational prior to Christmas
• works to upgrade the intersection of Hastings Road and Yuille Street will continue into early 2025.

New emergency short stay unit opens

The new Short Stay Unit in the Frankston Hospital Emergency Department officially opened on 17 October. It was a smooth transition for patients and staff, and it didn’t take long for it to be put to the test.

The new unit will cater for patients requiring treatment and monitoring for less than 24 hours – easing pressure on hardworking staff by assisting with patient flow and reducing wait times.

After a fall at home, Margaret was admitted to the newly opened unit and rather unexpectedly became its very first patient.

Margaret’s daughters, Nicole and Megan, expressed their surprise at walking into a brand-new facility.

'The unit is beautiful, it's clean, fresh, and spacious. It really is an uplifting space,' they said.

Completion of the short stay unit now paves the way for the emergency department expansion to progress. This includes a new dedicated paediatric zone and a mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) hub.

Thinking outside the (cardboard) box

The students at St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School recently built their own Frankston Hospital redevelopment during a visit from SciencePlay Kids and the redevelopment team.

From flashing lights and flying ambulances to a special Taylor Swift inspired ward, they had some imaginative ideas.

The school is a close neighbour to the redevelopment. For the past two years the students have been watching construction of the new hospital tower from their schoolyard.

To delve deeper into what's being built, and what the bigger, better hospital means for the community, students from all year levels participated in STEM workshops with Dr Loz from SciencePlay Kids.

In the sessions, students used cardboard engineering to explore the concepts of planning, designing, prototyping and testing. They built some amazing structures, lighting circuits and creative equipment for their version of the redevelopment.

Quincy Hughes, Graduate Midwife and Nurse

‘As a graduate midwife I’ve rotated through antenatal clinic, postnatal ward, birth suite and midwifery home care. My next rotation will be in the paediatric ward.’

‘I love the supportive and collaborative environment of the wards I’ve worked in. I feel so well supported by all my colleagues and have learnt so much from them.’

‘I’m looking forward to the new spaces that are being created by the redevelopment. There will be more relaxing and welcoming spaces for our women – birth rooms with baths, rooms with a view of the bay and an outdoor courtyard space.’

Award-winning women in construction

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Awards showcase the achievements and industry advancements of workers and organisations in the construction industry. Each year, NAWIC holds Awards for Excellence in each state and territory to publicly acknowledge the hard work and energy of nominees and winners.

From the Frankston Hospital redevelopment team, Lendlease’s Bohemia Hookham was awarded the Sustainability Award and Stephanie Keary received a nomination for the Design Award. Bohemia and Stephanie have both made outstanding contributions to the redevelopment, and broader Lendlease team.

Turning training into jobs

Eight students from the 2024 intake of the ‘Be Onsite’ traineeship program on the Frankston Hospital redevelopment have finished their accredited training and recently graduated from the program.

The program supports local people facing barriers to employment to build careers in the construction industry.

The trainees completed 10 weeks of accredited training and then worked on-site at the Frankston Hospital redevelopment with guidance from subcontractors.

They’re encouraged to move into traditional apprenticeships or other construction employment opportunities after the program.

Three of the participants have already been accepted into roles with subcontractors on the project – ACE Civil, ARC Structural and Landscape Plus.

Be Onsite is one of the workforce development programs provided by The Exchange.

The Exchange is a social impact initiative run by Lendlease and the Exemplar Health consortium.

Further information on the Frankston Hospital redevelopment is available on our dedicated project page.