Barwon Health North

The new Barwon Health North facility provides comprehensive health services. It bridges the gap between community health and specialised services typically offered in a hospital.

The new facility includes:

• an urgent care centre
• GP ‘walk-in’ services
• renal dialysis facilities
• medical imaging
• pathology
• pharmacy
• consulting suites.

After community consultation, extra design features were included:

• an adult all abilities toilet and showering facilities
• baby change facilities
• adult change table
• volunteer's space
• areas to charge mobile phones
• children’s play area
• seating in waiting areas to accommodate all abilities
• a prayer room
• a waiting area for interpreters.

The Corio Community Health Centre, which is also run by Barwon Health, will continue to operate and complement the range of services available at Barwon Health North.

The Barwon Health North project aimed to achieve the following benefits: 

Less pressure on local hospitals

The new Barwon Health North health care facility will ease the strain on the University Hospital Geelong’s busy emergency department. Patients can access a range of ‘walk in’ health services. People with sprains, cuts or minor infections can receive treatment on the spot, without an appointment.

Continuity of care

The facility provides continuity of care through coordinated health service delivery between Barwon Health North, Barwon Health and University Hospital Geelong.

Easier for families to access services

The facility is designed to meet the need for child and family services in Geelong’s northern community. It aims to provide easy access to paediatric specialists, such as audiologists and speech pathologists, in a location that is close to home. Currently, parents have to make a trip across town for clinics and treatment. With services available locally, children and families in the area can avoid travelling into central Geelong.

The purpose-built facility was designed with a range of child-friendly features. With baby change facilities and a children’s play area, parents will have everything they need for an easy visit.

Local jobs

The project created five new construction jobs, two new apprenticeships and one trainee place during the delivery.

This project was delivered by the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority in partnership with:

• Barwon Health
• City of Greater Geelong
• Billard Leece Partnership (architect)
• Kane Constructions (builder).
   

Please note: As of 1 February 2021, the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority (VHHSBA) became the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA).