From building an all abilities rehab playground co-designed by clinicians and patients, to prioritising learning and development initiatives across nursing, allied health and intensive care, new funding will foster fun and creative play as an enabler of improved patient experiences and outcomes, while also helping to attract and retain highly qualified staff across the Loddon Mallee region.

Kids Rehab Play Space

Recognising that play assists rehabilitation, helps learning, and fosters connections between clinicians, siblings and peers, Bendigo Health will build an all abilities, outdoor, natured-based paediatric rehab playground at the hospital site. Co-designed by clinicians in collaboration with their patients and community, the playground concepts are complete, and building is ready to commence. Having kick-started fundraising within the local community, the hospital now seeks the final funding required to commence work on this innovative, patient-centred playground.

Paediatric staff scholarship and specialist training program

With a commitment to attracting and retaining highly qualified and passionate clinical and allied health professionals, Bendigo Health will offer learning and development initiatives across nursing, allied health and intensive care. Programs include providing RCH training for allied health professionals onsite in Bendigo, piloting a nurse educator role to support the growth of paediatric training, and enabling regional staff to access intensive care training onsite at the RCH.   

2025 Funding Update

Bendigo Health is a leading regional healthcare service, providing exceptional care to the Loddon Mallee region – an area that covers a quarter of the size of Victoria. The hospital will now also be able to provide additional services for the increasing number of paediatric outpatients and admissions.

• Paediatric rehabilitation playspace: a new outdoor rehabilitation playspace giving sick children, young people and their families a space that fosters connection, learning and healing. The calming effects of this nature-based playground are vital for more than 100 patients treated by the hospital’s rehabilitation team at any one time.
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• Training and education: Funded two vital positions across the areas of allied health and nursing and provided senior hospital staff with realistic simulation training to help boost retention, attract new staff and ensure paediatric excellence continues to be delivered across the region.
  

“These important funds will significantly enhance Bendigo Health’s paediatric care, with the appointment of two paediatric nurse educators in allied health and nursing. Additionally, we’ve upskilled our staff through paediatric simulation programs and patient assessment workshops.

In 2024, thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal, we reached our fundraising goal for the all-abilities paediatric play space. We look forward to being able to utilise this play space soon,”

Eileen Hannagan, Bendigo Health Chief Executive Officer.