The new Emergency Department (ED) will be a game-changer, offering a major improvement in space, facilities and comfort for both patients, carers and staff. Located on the ground floor, the ED features a dedicated entry and waiting area, to support a comfortable arrival experience for patients and their families requiring emergency care.
The ED has been designed for ease of access and seamless patient care:
Designated ED waiting room with children’s area, triage and reception zone. A family room is available for families who require additional space while their loved ones are receiving treatment.
Direct ambulance and emergency services access via Warrambool St, providing a discreet and private entry for ambulances, police and Patient Transport.
Adjacent to Medical Imaging, ensuring fast access to radiology services.
A hospital-wide pneumatic tube system to transport pathology samples and pharmacy items in less than a minute, improving efficiency and patient care.
Designed to meet the needs of a growing community, the new ED includes:
Two resuscitation bays and seven treatment bays, with two additional bays dedicated to paediatric care.
Interview, consultation, and treatment rooms, along with a family room and triage space.
A mental health safe assessment room, connected to the Mental Health Emergency Consultation Service (MHECS) team for online consultations.
A fast-track zone for quick treatment of minor conditions, like stitches.
A negative pressure room and a special consultation room to provide specialised care for sensitive presentations, including sexual assault.
A co-located short stay unit, designed for extended observation and treatment without hospital admission. This service will come online over time as the Griffith community grows.
Emergency Department Director, Dr Emmanuel Jeyarajah, is a specialist in Emergency Medicine. He said the new design gives staff the space they need to work efficiently, improving enjoyment at work, service delivery and patient outcomes.
“Plenty of space not only helps our staff deliver care more effectively, but it also improves the public’s experience as they progress through the emergency journey,” he said.
“Since I commenced working at Griffith Base Hospital, the delivery, quality, and complexity of care has advanced significantly. Telehealth plays a key role - enabling timely stabilisation, initial treatment, and transfer for presentations such as stroke, heart attack, and trauma patients.”
“This model is a huge benefit for Griffith and the hospitals that feed into us,” Dr. Emmanuel (pictured, below) said.
The new ED isn’t just about cutting-edge medical care—it also prioritises comfort, cultural safety, and community connection through artwork:
Local Wiradjuri artist Carolyn Williams' vibrant artwork welcomes all patients, promoting inclusivity and cultural safety.
Artwork from St Mary's Yoogali and Hanwood Public School students brightens the waiting area, offering a comforting distraction for young visitors and patients.
Dedicated staff spaces, including a spacious central staff station, staff room, change rooms, and offices, designed to enhance the working environment and support staff.
Nursing Unit Manager, Helen See said the dedicated ED reception area, increased space and improved privacy will improve the patient experience.
“Staff are looking forward to providing more efficient patient assessment and treatment in dedicated zones, which will improve patient comfort. The dedicated isolation room will improve infection control practices. “Community feedback was incorporated into the design – for example, the layout of the reception area will improve confidentially when people are speaking to the triage nurse. And with up to 25 percent of our ED presentations involving children, the dedicated paediatric bays and children's waiting area is designed to relieve some of the stress and anxiety for parents with unwell young ones,” she said.
When the new hospital opens, patients requiring emergency treatment should go directly to the new ED , following signage from the hospital’s main entry. Drop-off and pick-up zones remain at the existing hospital entrance, with the same parking available at the front of the hospital.
Additional parking, including improved drop-off zones and easy-access features, is expected to be completed later this year.