Calvary Bethlehem Hospital opens at $154m health precinct

The new Calvary Bethlehem Hospital has opened its doors as part of Calvary Health Care’s landmark $154 million health, retirement living and residential aged care precinct in Melbourne.

It marks a homecoming for the specialist 32-bed hospital and health service, a palliative care services provider and the statewide provider of specialist care and support for Victorians living with progressive neurological conditions, such as motor neurone disease and Huntington’s disease.

The integrated Calvary Kooyong precinct brings together premium retirement living in the Hyson Apartments, contemporary residential aged care in the Huntly Suites, Calvary’s in-home care, and GP and other healthcare services, as well as Calvary Bethlehem’s services. It is designed to support residents’ changing needs and enable them to live well and in place as they age.

Calvary Kooyong General Manager Shannon Thompson said Calvary Bethlehem patients and services are the first to occupy the new precinct and will soon be followed by the first aged care residents and retirees.

“We are very excited to have moved back home to our original site — and into such a wonderful facility that has been designed and built to meet the needs of our patients and their families, and to support our staff to provide high-quality, compassionate care,” Thompson said.

The new sub-acute hospital includes outpatient clinic areas, education and training spaces, patient and family lounge and gardens, a day centre, and a designated area for clinical trials.

The first Calvary Bethlehem patients transition to the wards via the main reception foyer.

“We have long participated in clinical trials but this is the first time that we have a designated area for that work,” Thompson said.

“The whole facility is light and airy and offers improved and contemporary amenity for our patients, their families and for our dedicated staff. Plus having the hospital within the precinct means our specialist staff and services are there for the precinct’s residents if needed.”

Calvary celebrated its 80th anniversary last year and “we are very much looking forward to this exciting new chapter and the evolution of the care and services we provide to our community”, Thompson said.

Top image caption: An aerial photo of the new Calvary Kooyong precinct with the Huntly Suites residential aged care home in the foreground, Hyson Apartments at rear and Calvary Bethlehem Hospital (rear right). Photo courtesy of Icon.