State-of-the-art technology is transforming the South West Healthcare’s near-complete Regional Logistics Distribution Centre (RLDC), as part of the Allan Labor Government’s $384.2 million hospital redevelopment.
On track to be operational in early 2024, Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora today released images of the new warehouse, including the internal fit-out and modern façade of the purpose-built facility.
Located on Cooper Street, just three minutes from Warrnambool Base Hospital, the RLDC will provide commercial linen services and deliver technology-led healthcare supply and logistics warehousing to both the hospital and more than 50 regional health providers.
Featuring an automated storage and retrieval system that will streamline the distribution of essential healthcare supplies, the technology will support workers to fulfil orders in a safer and more modern environment.
Supplies will be stored using a purpose-built condensed storage system and robotically picked and delivered to workers at ergonomically designed stations to be packed for distribution. The facility is also being fitted out with modern and more efficient laundry equipment.
South West Healthcare currently processes more than 170,000 goods and services requests and 1,400 tonnes of linen from its base at Warrnambool Base Hospital each year.
Relocating these services to the new, offsite RLDC will make space for construction to begin on the significant Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment, with site preparations on track to begin in the coming weeks.
Delivered by the Labor Government and Victorian Health Building Authority, in partnership with South West Healthcare, the redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2027.
Set to transform healthcare in the region, the new hospital will deliver a new multi-storey clinical services tower, a bigger emergency department, an extra 22 inpatient beds, more operating theatres and dedicated areas for pathology services and dialysis.
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
“The ergonomically designed workstations and more efficient laundry equipment will ensure the hardworking RLDC team will have a state-of-the-art workplace to keep them safe while delivering these important services.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“Hundreds rely on this important logistics and linen service each day – that’s why we are modernising its operation to ensure staff have a safer workplace and health services have better access to the crucial supplies they need.”
“Progress on this new facility brings us another step closer to delivering the massive Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment that will transform the way healthcare is delivered in the south west.”
