Frankston Hospital redevelopment: Community survey report

VHHSBA and Peninsula Health are committed to working closely with the Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula community. Hearing from patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and the wider community will help us to identify issues and capture the views and aspirations of the community in plans for the redevelopment.

The community survey is a first step to understanding the ideas and priorities of the people of Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula so we can build a hospital that truly reflects the community it serves.

This report includes a summary of the feedback we received. The full results of this survey have been provided to the project team responsible for delivery of the Frankston Hospital redevelopment.

Services

Most respondents (92 per cent) said ‘emergency treatment’ was the most important service, followed by ‘access to specialists’ (62 per cent), ‘access to elective surgery’ (59 per cent), ‘medical imaging and other specialist services’ (56 per cent) and ‘mental health’ (51 per cent).

Getting to and from the hospital

Most respondents (88 per cent) travel to Frankston Hospital by car (driving or as a passenger). While only two per cent travel to the hospital by public transport, 12 per cent indicated they would prefer to use public transport.

Features

When asked to consider the most important features of Frankston Hospital, most people ranked ‘quality of services’ as most important, followed by ‘prompt attention’ and ‘range of services’.

Other community benefits

Most respondents (70 per cent) wanted to see ‘gardens’ at Frankston Hospital, followed by ‘spaces for families’ (61 per cent), ‘cafes and restaurants’ (44 per cent) and ‘newsagent/postal/banking services’ (44 per cent).

The Victorian Government is providing $562 million to redevelop and expand Frankston Hospital. The redevelopment will transform services and provide more Frankston and Mornington Peninsula families access to world-class healthcare, closer to home.

Construction of a multi-level acute services tower will add capacity for 120 additional beds, new operating theatres and dedicated spaces for mental health and oncology services. A new main entrance will improve wayfinding for patients and visitors.

With more families choosing to make Melbourne’s south-east home, expanded women’s and children’s services will also be delivered.

The redevelopment will be delivered as a public private partnership, with a consortium to design, construct, finance and maintain the redeveloped hospital. Frankston Hospital will remain a public hospital, operated by Peninsula Health.

Construction of the new tower is expected to be completed in late 2024.

Image: Expansion site overlay for the Frankston Hospital redevelopment project.

Services

Most respondents (92 per cent) said ‘emergency treatment’ was the most important service, followed by ‘access to specialists’ (62 per cent), ‘access to elective surgery’ (59 per cent), ‘medical imaging and other specialist services’ (56 per cent) and ‘mental health’ (51 per cent).

*Respondents could select more than one answer.

Other services that ranked highly were:

• children’s health
• palliative care
• range of services
• maternity.

Features

When asked to consider the most important features of Frankston Hospital, most people ranked ‘quality of services’ as most important, followed by ‘prompt attention’ and then ‘range of services’.

Respondents ranked the following features in order of importance:
1. Quality of service
2. Prompt attention
3. Range of service
4. Visiting specialist.

When asked to consider what additional services at Frankston Hospital were important to them, most people said ‘carparking’ and ‘comfortable waiting areas’.

Respondents ranked the following in order of importance:

• 72% carparking
• 56% comfortable waiting areas
• 49% clear wayfinding and signage.

Other community benefits

Most respondents (70 per cent) wanted to see ‘gardens’ at Frankston Hospital, followed by ‘spaces for families’ (61 per cent), ‘cafes and restaurants’ (44 per cent) and ‘newsagent/postal/banking services’ (44 per cent).

*Respondents could select more than one answer.

Your experiences at Frankston Hospital

We asked what people liked most about Frankston Hospital and what they thought could be improved.

The most common responses for what people liked about the hospital related to:

1. A hospital with a community feel, close to home
2. Kind, supportive and knowledgeable staff
3. High quality levels of care.

When asked what could be improved, common themes included:

1. A hospital that’s easy to access and to navigate
2. A safe, welcoming and inclusive hospital
3. A focus on children’s, women’s and mental health services.

A hospital that’s easy to access and to navigate

Car parking and transport

A third of respondents asked for cheaper or free carparking – and more of it. Respondents also asked for better and more accessible public transport options, especially for people living on the Mornington Peninsula.

'PARKING! Make it free and multi-level.'

'It is too far to park and access outpatient and community health services for my elderly mother.'

'Public transport on the Peninsula is very spotty and residents must travel to Frankston Station by bus or train from the Western Port side, change to a different bus that lets them off on the road outside the hospital, and then they need to walk to the area of the hospital they are visiting, which is a very hilly area and very difficult for older people or people with a disability.'

Finding your way around the hospital

A common concern was that the layout of the hospital is confusing and clearer signage is needed. There were also requests to have a mobility service to help elderly and disabled people move around the campus. Some respondents said the walk from the carpark to the emergency department or to other parts of the hospital was too long.

Many respondents would like to see more paediatric services available at Frankston Hospital, along with more child-friendly spaces for patients and their families.

There were positive comments on the experience provided in maternity, as well as comments on the need for more private and shared spaces for new mothers.

Many people would like to see improved mental health services in the future, including for adolescents. Respondents raised the need for more beds, an improved emergency department experience and dedicated space for mental health patients.

'More child friendly spaces for paediatric patients and visitors.'

'Youth mental health programs.'

'I would like to see a huge improvement and an increase in facilities for mental health.'

A common response was that the hospital needs a clear main entrance and a welcome/reception area. People want the hospital to be a safe and inclusive place for everyone.

Safety was mentioned often, with references to spaces that protect vulnerable people, well-lit outdoor areas, safe carpark and pedestrian access, and availability of security. Other common suggestions included brighter and more inviting colours, more plants and landscaping and better access to the nearby botanical gardens.

Several people commented that smoking near the hospital entrance needs to be restricted.

A competitive procurement process is underway to secure a consortium to deliver the Frankston Hospital redevelopment.

As part of this process, a ‘request for proposal’ document will be provided to a shortlist of bidders. This document will outline the scope and requirements of the redevelopment, so those on the shortlist can develop a detailed proposal.

The request for proposal will be supported by a Community Consultation Report. This will summarise ideas, feedback and input from the community to be taken into consideration. This will form part of the criteria assessed when selecting the successful consortium.

VHHSBA is planning further consultation with the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula community to help develop the final Community Consultation Report. This will be undertaken in late 2020 and early 2021.

To receive updates about the Frankston Hospital redevelopment, email fhrproject@dhhs.vic.gov.au and request to be added to the mailing list.