NEWS DESK
New hospital on horizon Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au AN AMBITIOUS vision of the future of health and education in the Frankston region has been unveiled under a plan to base a health and education hub at a rebuilt Frankston Hospital in partnership with Monash University. Peninsula Health announced at its annual general meeting last Wednesday (29 November) plans for a $250 million rebuild of Frankston Hospital to include 115 more beds by mid-2021 and a $15 million clinical research and education centre at the new hospital. Monash University will commit up to $50 million to the hospital rebuild in a partnership estimated to bring 1000 jobs to Frankston during construction of the new buildings and 500 full-time health, research and education jobs after completion. Any research centre will focus on ageing and chronic diseases and action to stop family violence and addiction. Peninsula Health acting CEO David Anderson said the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula will benefit from an expanded hospital at Frankston. “The plans detail our vision for Frankston Hospital, and the longerterm vision for a future health and education precinct with Monash University,” Mr Anderson said. Three new wards at Frankston Hospital and a new emergency department costing $81 million were finished in early 2015. While the new wards and emergency
Travelling con artists TRAVELLING tradesmen offering discounted prices for work on the Mornington Peninsula over summer should be avoided, local police warn. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen McKenzie, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said con artists offering cheap painting, roof repairs, driveway repairs and other similar work should be avoided. “These are people doing sub-standard work and charging considerably more than the value of the work being quoted,” he said. “Unfortunately, they are known to prey on the elderly and vulnerable, and can be very assertive, offering one-off sale prices or heavily discounted prices due to job cancellations or other reasons. Detective McKenzie said anyone approached in these circumstances should “kindly refuse the work”. Call 000, Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Consumer Affairs Victoria 1300 558 181 if the tradesmen are persistent.
Free family film
department were a welcome upgrade to the hospital, it has also highlighted problems with ageing infrastructure in the main hospital buildings. “As our population grows, it is vital we grow with it,” Peninsula Health chief operation officer Brendon Gardner said. “In order to continue to deliver world-class healthcare to the local community, we need the facilities to match the expertise of our doctors and nurses.
Vision of future: Designs show the outline of a vast expansion plan for Frankston Hospital to include a health and education hub in partnership with Monash University. Pics: Supplied
“The health and education precinct will help us attract the best and brightest minds to Frankston, so we can meet new health challenges in the coming decades head-on.” Any redevelopment of Frankston Hospital will be dependent on federal
and state government funding, whichever major party wins government at imminent federal and state elections. Monash University Peninsula campus pro-vice chancellor Professor David Copolov said the university “is excited” to be able to pitch in to build on existing partnerships with Peninsula Health. “We look forward to partnering with the hospital to expand our teaching and research activities in Frankston,” Professor Copolov said.
THE Frankston Power Centre will be hosting a free Christmas Outdoor Movie Night on Friday 8 December, 6.30-9.30pm. There will be a cinema screening of Elf starting at 7.30pm. Santa and his elf will be visiting, as well as a raffle with some great prizes donated from retailers. Dinner, drinks and snacks will be available to purchase from retailers who will be providing family-friendly specials throughout the event. This will be the third family event hosted at the Frankston Power Centre, establishing itself as a community hub. The event is free entry, but guests will need to register for a ticket. Head the Facebook page for more details @ FrankstonPowerCentre
Frankston Times 4 December 2017
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