Cranes mark major milestone for Box Hill

The new clinical services block, the cornerstone of the $447.5 million redevelopment of Box Hill Hospital, will soon start rising from the ground and is on track to be completed in 2015.

Touring the construction site, Minister for Health David Davis said the arrival of two tower cranes marked a significant milestone for the redevelopment project.

‘The cranes – standing at 50 metres tall with a 55 metre boom – will build the main structure of the new clinical services building.

‘Just six months after work first began, extensive excavation has been completed and the arrival of the tower cranes means that construction of the main structure is about to start.

‘As of May, a staggering 150,000 cubic metres of soil has been removed – the equivalent of 63 Olympic-sized swimming pools – and 22 footings have been poured – and some in-ground services such as plumbing and electrical cables have been installed.’

‘This new building will add more than 40,000 square metres over 11 floors – eight above ground – and will be linked to the existing hospital via an atrium and several link bridges.

‘The project will deliver a state-of-the-art hospital with more than 600 beds and additional services to meet growing demand for people living in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.’

The project includes:

• An increase of more than 200 beds;

• A larger and more efficient emergency department supported by 20 short stay beds;

• A dedicated women’s health precinct linked to children’s services;

• An integrated surgical department with 11 new operating theatres and a surgical admissions area with 20 day surgical beds;

• A new, 18-bed intensive care unit with a direct lift connection from the emergency department;

• Specialist cardiology facilities including expanded diagnostics;

• Inpatient and day beds for cancer and renal patients; and,

• Two floors of public underground parking with about 200 car spaces, as well as bike storage and showers for staff.