DESIGNS for a new $41.1 million aged-care facility in Cohuna have been revealed by the Victorian Government.
The new 24-bed facility is set to replace the Cohuna District Nursing Home with a new state-of-the-art facility operated by Cohuna District Hospital.
Designs showcase a modern and spacious facility with 16 aged-care beds and eight acute beds where residents will be accommodated in single bedrooms with private ensuites, utilising the concept of “small households” to provide a comfortable and safe place for residents to call home.
The new facility will also provide a dementia-friendly environment that is better suited to supporting the mental health and complex care needs of older Victorians.
The government said this design focus meant residents could “age in place”, which was particularly important in regional areas like Cohuna.
“(This gives) residents the opportunity to remain close to their support networks and maintain family and community connections as their care needs increase,” the government said in a statement.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, works are expected to commence later this year and be completed in 2027.
The Cohuna aged-care project is part of the $162 million Better Aged Care Services for Regional Victorians program, funded in the 2023–24 Budget.
Cohuna District Hospital chief executive Bernadette Loughnane said the project had been years in planning.
“It’s aged care plus acute so all single rooms and all ensuites, which the current building doesn’t have the pleasure of having,” Ms Loughnane told the Gannawarra Times.
“It will have lovely integrated space with outdoor area and gardens, while the building itself will have principles of eco and sustainability.
“Its particular focus will be on that’s where they live – we are working in their homes as opposed to them living in our residential facility.”
Ms Loughnane said the colour scheme and textures reflected the Gunbower, while the health service awaited a 3D model to display in the hospital.
“There has been lots of consultation with staff, consumers and experts to understand the journey that older people go through,” she said.
The new facility will not be attached to the main hospital building as the current facility was.
“The new facility will be on the western end of the hospital with a bridge connecting to the new facility,” Ms Loughnane said.
“The old home, when decanted, will be repurposed as an administration block and staff accommodation.”
Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said: “We’re building and upgrading infrastructure at our public residential aged-care services right across Victoria, giving older Victorians safe, tailored facilities to suit their needs.”
