La Trobe University announced today that following an international expression of interest campaign it has selected Healthscope as the preferred private hospital operator in relation to the University’s Health and Wellbeing Hub.
The Health Hub is part of La Trobe’s $5billion University of the City plan. Once fully completed, the hub will include a new private hospital, aged care, childcare and super clinic facilities.
La Trobe Vice-President (Development) Natalie MacDonald said the innovative precinct would build on the University’s existing strengths in allied health teaching, learning and research and will also boost health services in Melbourne’s north.
Healthscope currently operates La Trobe Private Hospital - a 34-bed facility at the University’s Bundoora campus. La Trobe University and Healthscope will now work together to further investigate Healthscope’s proposal to expand health care services being provided at La Trobe Private Hospital.
“We are delighted to announce Healthscope as our preferred operator and we look forward to continue working with them to progress this proposal in greater detail,” Ms MacDonald said.
“We will continue to build on our long standing relationship with the University through the development and expansion of clinical services, whilst maintaining a strong focus on the training of undergraduate and graduate nurses, as well as allied health,” Bronte Kumm, Healthscope’s State Manager Victoria and Tasmania, added.
Ms MacDonald said La Trobe’s Health Hub would have enormous benefits to staff, students and the local community.
“We are pleased to be working with an experienced healthcare provider like Healthscope to help deliver our vision.
“The Health Hub will provide improved health service provision for a growing community, opportunities for joint research and work-based placements for La Trobe students and a chance to increase the University’s educational specialisation in mental health service provision.”
Ms MacDonald said the hub would also address an emerging health challenge in Melbourne’s north.
“The region already has an undersupply of hospital beds and with the population of Banyule and Darebin municipalities set to soar by 52,000 people in the next 15 years, the situation is only going to get worse.”
The hub will be located on a 3.55-hectare parcel of University-owned land facing Plenty Road, at the northern entrance to the Bundoora campus. The site is only 3 kilometres from the Ring Road and 15 kilometres from city.
The process for developing the remaining Health and Wellbeing Hub site is ongoing. Engagement on the aged care component of the project is expected to begin over the coming months and further announcements are expected in early 2019.
Media enquiries: Anastasia Salamastrakis 0428 195 464
