Posted: 21 February 2023
The latest addition to the Monash Health group of hospitals was opened. The Victorian Heart Hospital was officially launched by the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas.
In partnership with Monash University and housing the Monash Victorian Heart Institute, the Heart Hospital will integrate clinical cardiology services, research and education to create a centre of excellence, raising the profile of cardiovascular research, treatment and training.
Monash Health Chief Executive, Professor Andrew Stripp, said the launch of the Victorian Heart Hospital was a momentous day for Victoria and cardiac care globally.
“The Victorian Heart Hospital will be a home for world-class cardiac care and research for decades to come, supporting everyone who comes through our doors,” Professor Stripp said.
“Monash Health’s partnership with Monash University means not only will we deliver excellent cardiac care today and tomorrow, but well into the future through collaborative innovation.”
With a capacity for up to 206 beds, the Victorian Heart Hospital each year will provide 28,000 cardiac emergency patient assessments, 10,000 interventional cardiac catheterisation procedures, and 2000 open heart surgeries.
The Victorian Heart Hospital will begin welcoming patients from Thursday 23 February 2023. The hospital will open in a staged approach with a plan to have all clinical services operational over the coming weeks.
Program Director of the Victorian Heart Hospital and Director of the Victorian Heart Institute, Professor Stephen Nicholls, said he and the team were excited to open the doors for patients.
“This hospital is a game-changer, and will truly be the heart of cardiac care and research in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere,” Professor Nicholls said.
“Cardiac deaths are the leading cause of death in Australia. The Victorian Heart Hospital has been established to change that.”
The first services to open at the Victorian Heart Hospital include Ambulatory Clinics (outpatient services), Imaging services, Pathology and Pharmacy.
The Victorian Heart Hospital has been carefully designed to enhance patient experience. Patients can expect a warm, open environment with natural light and ready access to landscaped outdoor areas and café spaces. This less-clinical approach aligns with considerable research showing that a lighter, more open hospital environment can positively impact clinical outcomes.
With an increased capacity for cardiac care, the hospital aims to provide significant benefits in patient care by reducing:
- the average length-of-stay, so patients are able to safely recover at home sooner
- waiting times for non-urgent procedures
- the need to transfer between sites or units
The hospital is delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government, the Victorian Health Building Authority, and Monash University.
For more information, please visit www.victorianhearthospital.org
