You're now approaching the last stop on our tour, the University Hospital Geelong. As you walk along Ryrie Street, keep an eye out on your left for a modern building with a prominent angular design featuring horizontal white slats and large glass windows. The entrance is marked by a large sign reading "Barwon Health The Geelong Hospital Main Entrance" and an overhang that juts out over the entrance, providing a bit of shade and shelter. It’s hard to miss with its distinctive architecture!
University Hospital Geelong, formerly known simply as Geelong Hospital, is a vital landmark in Geelong. Situated on Ryrie Street, it stands as the largest hospital in regional Victoria and the only tertiary hospital outside the Melbourne Metropolitan area. Part of Barwon Health, this hospital offers comprehensive healthcare services and is also a key teaching facility thanks to its partnership with Deakin University, which led to its renaming in 2014.
With a catchment area covering over 350,000 people, and certain specialties reaching up to 500,000, this hospital is critical in providing specialized care for the region. It all started back in 1852, when it was known as the Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum, treating 344 inpatients in its first year. Dramatic increases in patient numbers soon followed, from 2,450 in 1862 to many more as the years progressed.
Fun fact: in the 1890s, there was a proposal to relocate the hospital to Eastern Park, but the local city council blocked it to preserve the parkland - a decision that solidified the hospital's current location. Over the years, the hospital expanded with numerous additions such as the boiler house, Kardinia Ward, Baxter House Maternity Hospital, Birdsey Wing, and the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, among others.
One interesting piece of history is the Gala Day festival, which started in 1927 and became a significant fundraiser for the hospital. The historical evolution of the hospital includes the establishment of various specialized wings and the inclusion of a new helipad for faster emergency access. The latest state budget has allocated $500 million for expanding operation theaters and pediatric and maternity units, highlighting its continual growth and importance.
So, while admiring this grand institution, take a moment to appreciate its multifaceted role in healthcare, education, and the community. And that wraps up our Geelong tour! If your feet are tired, just remember, you’ve traversed through a fascinating blend of history and modernity. Great job!
