Celebrating heart hospital milestone
Monash University celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the $564 million Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) at its Clayton campus.
Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC joined Minister for Health, Ambulance Services and Equality, the Hon Martin Foley MP, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) Robert Fiske, Monash Health Chief Executive Andrew Stripp, Director of the Victorian Heart Hospital Professor Stephen Nicholls, and the Dean of Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Professor Christina Mitchell to take a first-hand look at Australia’s first state-of-the-art cardiac hospital.
Despite a long period of COVID lockdowns, the VHH building is moving at pace, with main structural works and façade now complete, and the fit-out currently well underway with construction due to be completed at the end of 2022.
The Victorian Heart Hospital project is a joint partnership between the Victorian Government, Monash Health and Monash University, and will provide innovative, holistic and patient-centred care, as well as world-leading research and education.
The hospital, operated by Monash Health as part of its network, will integrate clinical cardiology services, research and education to create a centre of excellence, raising the profile of cardiovascular research, treatment and training. It will also house the new Monash University Victorian Heart Institute (VHI).
The VHH and VHI will be overseen by Professor Nicholls and will explore new ways to solve cardiovascular challenges by collaborating with a world-class research and innovation community beyond the boundaries of health and medicine.
Cardiovascular disease places an enormous burden on health systems, economies and governments. Once completed, the Victorian Heart Hospital will have the capacity to provide over 2,000 cardiac surgeries per year with patients with heart disease able to access world-class cardiac care and ground-breaking research, all under one roof.
Professor Gardner said the Victorian Heart Hospital, part of the Monash Technology Precinct, brings together world-leading experts to transform the way cardiovascular disease is managed.
“Cardiovascular disease is a significant health issue affecting people worldwide. Aligning with Monash’s commitment to address the global challenges of our time, the VHH will bring together research, education, clinical practice and patient care capabilities under the one roof to improve heart health,” Professor Gardner said.
Professor Nicholls says that co-locating and embedding research in healthcare ensures the best environment for innovation, but also improves patient outcomes.
“We can bring the latest cutting-edge treatments to our patients that we have today, and by embedding research within the building – engineering, cell therapy, pharmacological therapy, new tests and devices – we are also part of the future in finding new solutions,” Professor Nicholls said.
“Our researchers and clinicians are going to be here together, rubbing shoulders in the hallways and coming up with new ideas.”
“While much innovation happens through a high-tech lens, at the other end of the pipeline it’s all about equity and access. We’re committed to making sure that the best cardiovascular care, whether it’s preventative or treatment, is available for all Victorians in a centre like this.”
To learn more about the Victorian Heart Hospital redevelopment visit the VHBA dedicated project page.