University Hospital Geelong Special Care Nursery

About This Project

Following the success of the Children’s’ Ward for Barwon Health, Cotter Reid Architects were again asked to complete a mini-masterplan for the expansion & redevelopment of the Special Care Nursery & ancillary spaces at University Geelong Hospital. The initial briefing items for the redevelopment were:

– To expand the capacity of the ward from 12 cots to 20, including new Resus bays;

– To provide greater amenity & improved quiet spaces for parents, including a culturally-sensitive feeding room, installation of curtains around cot bays, a new “quiet” room, increased opportunities for overnight stay & a dedicated parents lounge;

– To improve staff amenity & support spaces, including a larger, more private staff station, a dedicated staff lounge and toilet, enhanced training facilities & more write-up areas;

– To increase security and control access into the ward. Aesthetically, the new ward offers a calming and welcoming environment for parents and visitors, whilst continuing some of the colours and shapes prevalent in the Children’s Ward Redevelopment.

This aesthetic approach has now become the “signature” for all paediatric areas within University Hospital.  Once again, Cotton On Foundation and Barwon Health Foundation raised funds from the community for this project.