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Budget cash for hospital By Alesha Capone
Young Wyndham residents Jumess and Alexander will have their story shared on ABC radio and television next week. The pair have been named the Wyndham region representatives for Takeover Melbourne, an ABC storytelling competition for young Victorians aged 12 to 18 years. Jumess, a Truganina resident, wrote a story about her experience of overcoming internalised racism to inspire fellow African-Australians to love their culture.
JUMESS
“Sharing my story means so much to me,” Jumess said. “I hope to achieve unity and acceptance. And I hope to be the voice for the voiceless.” Alexander, from Werribee, wrote about campaigning for changes in LGBT rights after overcoming mental health struggles. “Being able to share my story publicly means I’m able to further the work that I’m doing as a public speaker,“ Alexander said. Details: www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/ programs/takeover-melbourne/
ALEXANDER
(Pictures: Supplied)
Teen takeover
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An expanded emergency department at Werribee Mercy Hospital is on the cards after a $4.8 million injection as part of last week’s state budget. Mercy Health Group chief executive Stephen Cornelissen welcomed the funding to go towards planning the hospital’s $300 million third stage. He said construction needed to start within the next three years if Wyndham residents were to “receive the level and quality of health services they deserve and need”. “With the population growth at its current rate, it’s projected by 2026 our emergency department presentations will have increased by more than 107 per cent,” Adjunct Professor Cornelissen. “We have 15 cubicles in our existing emergency department, many of which are frequently occupied by patients waiting for mental health inpatient placement or community transfer. “We are also treating increasingly more complex health issues at our hospital as a result of having an Intensive Care Unit. At times, we cannot provide care for patients … because we do not yet have the specialist services required.” He said it was anticipated that the third stage would include an expanded emergency department and short-stay department with satellite medical imaging. It would also increase capacity for maternity and birthing services, and include a special care nursery and a postnatal inpatient ward. Renal services would be expanded too, including six additional dialysis chairs. Improved outpatient clinics, a modern pathology laboratory and pharmacy and more diagnostic endoscopy rooms are on the cards. “Expansion will also improve our capacity to retain and attract some of Australia’s most skilled doctors and nurses,” Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said.