SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE HOSPITALS Redevelopment and construction news
Issue 3: February 2022
BUILDING FULL STEAM AHEAD
The new year has seen dramatic changes within the Langmore Centre with building progressing in leaps and bounds. Those who may remember the original building (the old St John of God Berwick Hospital) would find it difficult to find their bearings these days with the facility having been gutted with structural elements now in place for the new services, rooms and spaces. Upon walking through the construction site, it is apparent that much time and effort has gone into planning the spaces and very carefully thinking them through, with consideration for their functionality and the people using them.
Despite Covid-19 throwing some curve balls in late 2021, the redevelopment is running to plan with builder, Kane, doing a magnificent job of adapting and working around the uncertanties of the pandemic. Our caregivers continue to not only run a fully-functional mental health facility at Pinelodge Clinic, but take on the challenges of service and facility planning and general preparation for the move later in 2022. The coming weeks will be transformative, with plaster work added to create rooms where there are now only metal structures and the fit out of fixtures to patient rooms.
Facts and figures: a snapshot of the project so far Figures provided by builder, KANE
Workers inducted = 337
Hours Worked =32,309.1
Equipment inducted (scissor lifts, excavators etc.) = 47
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for work tasks submitted = 190
WEXFORD PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH UNIT NEARING STRUCTURAL COMPLETION The Wexford perinatal mental health unit is nearing structural completion with key spaces taking shape. Framework is in place sectioning patient rooms, dining and lounge areas. In coming weeks fit out will commence with bed heads, wardrobes and bathroom fittings added. Later in February the crane will be back onsite with the purpose of lifting plant equipment onto the roof to service the perinatal unit. The unit has been planned with exceptional attention to detail, with a dedicated dining area, lounge with children’s play area, outdoor space and baby bathing room. The patient rooms will be spacious, allowing for
a double bed and a special alcove for the baby crib allowing mum to be close to her baby while preserving her sleep, privacy and space while she recovers and recuperates. Overall, the unit is planned to be a warm and safe space where new parents can be cared for, while feeling at home to bond with their baby and also welcome family and friends to visit. The unit will be secured with glass doors at entry ensuring it is a private haven for new families to feel welcome, safe and at ease during theit treatment.
Perinatal mental health unit. Left: Dedicated outdoor space for perinatal patients Right: Perinatal lounge area
Left: Perinatal patient room Right: Artist’s impression of the perinatal lounge area Page 2
UNDER CONSTRUCTION | FEB 2022
Construction Timeline: Completing Perinatal fit-out. Crane onsite to lift plant equipment onto roof.
To be completed: -Elevated Decks/courtyards -Alcohol and other drugs unit -Swing/Special unit -Front reception & Executive
February 2022
Mar 2022
To be completed: -Adult mental health unit -Neurostimulation Suite -Studio Annexe (Art Studios & Exercise Studio)
Apr 2022
Perinatal Unit complete
May 2022
Stephenson House completed. Handover at month’s end & start of builders commissioning.
Commissioning period. -Caregiver orientation and training -Furniture and equipment -Scenario testing -Official opening and blessing
Open to patients
Jun 2022
Jul 2022
Aug 2022
Naming spaces: recognising our history After significant consultation with caregivers and other key stakeholders, the Langmore Centre’s new units have been named! It was important that the names were not only easy to remember and catchy, but that they were meaningful and held significance to the organisation. Names categorised by a variety of themes were circulated and stakeholders were invited to vote on their preferred option and offer alternative ideas. It was universally felt that the names should pay respect to the history of the organisation and more specifically, the hospitals and heritage coming together to form a valuable new service at the Langmore Centre. Shepton Unit Shepton Private Hospital was the name of the original hospital at the Gibb Street, Berwick location. Shepton was opened in 1910 by Dr Percy Langmore and Nurse Grace Dunphy. Wexford (Perinatal mental health unit) The Congregation of the Sisters of St John of God was founded in Wexford, Ireland, in 1871. Heatherton (Drug and alcohol unit)
Heatherton pays respect to Pinelodge Clinic by recognising its geographical location of more than 30 years, Heatheron Road Dandenong.
Brighton (Mental health unit) The suburb of Brighton was home to St John of God Brighton Hospital which was the original mental health service opened by the Sisters of St John of God in 1949. Later, following its closure in 1999, mental health services were moved to Pinelodge Clinic, Dandenong. Granada dining room In recognition of our patron saint, John of God whose mission to alleviate suffering and comfort the sick in Granada, Spain in the 1500s. In Spanish, granada also means pomegranate. Pomegranate cafe
The pomegranate symbol represents the SJGHC heritage – as the original symbol of the Sisters of St John of God – and the vision for the future. The organisations’ five Values are reflected in the five seeds of the pomegranate, which is open to allow the seeds to scatter, providing new life and symbolises the generosity of self-giving to people in need.
rTMS: planning ahead reaps benefits The Pinelodge team have been service planning in preparation for move to the Langmore Centre for many months. One of the benefits of this early planning has been the ability to design a facility which will allow the team to not only relocate their services, but to improve upon them and provide improved patient outcomes. The rTMS service is one of those areas. Caregivers identified key areas for opportunity during the early planning stages and the outcomes can now be seen with 3 dedicated patient rooms within the Neuro Suite. It was recognised that the current service sees caregivers required to physically stay within the room for the duration of treatment. Their ideas and feedback were taken on board and the new unit has been custom designed to offer a better experience with two dedicated treatment rooms with large windows. This allows the caregiver to set the patient up for treatment and then have the ability to leave the room and observe two patients at once through the windows. The third room will commence as a consulting space but can swing to provide a further rTMS room when demand requires.
Top: rTMS treatment room Below: Double glazed windows looking into the rTMS rooms
Taking a seat on stakeholder consultation There is an incredible attention to detail on the Langmore Centre project and even the chairs are being scrutinised for their comfort, weight capacity, safety, quality and visual aesthetics. A selection of chairs will be reviewed over the coming weeks by a variety of stakeholders to assist in ensuring the best option is chosen. Patients spend a lot of time sitting while waiting for appointments, receiving care, in group sessions or within their patient room. It’s vital that they are safe, comfortable and supportive. it’s just another example of the patient-centred design being implemented at the Gibb Street hospital.
For more information on the Lanngmore Centre redevelopment: sjog.org.au/our-locations/st-john-of-god-langmore-centre
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Issue 3 Feb 2022 St John of God Health Care South East Melbourne Hospitals
info.langmore@sjog.org.au @StJohnofGodLangmoreCentre