Bendigo Bank House celebrates first year milestone

Bendigo Bank House - the affordable 'home away from home' for those supporting or receiving medical treatment in Bendigo - today marked its first full year of operations with a celebratory in-house morning tea for patients, carers, partners and supporters.

Since opening its doors 12 months ago, the means-tested, 15-suite facility has accommodated more than 2,100 guests and helped put hundreds of families - throughout regional Victoria and across the country - at ease during challenging times.

Bendigo Health - Victoria’s largest regional hospital - serves a quarter of the state and as a result, thousands of patients, carers and families must regularly travel to Bendigo to access specialty health services. Often, while accessing outpatient treatments at Bendigo Health, many of these patients are required to seek overnight accommodation nearby, which can become a significant financial and emotional burden.

In response, Bendigo Bank and 15 of its branches partnered with Exemplar Health to develop and provide an affordable accommodation facility for regionally based patients, their carers and families while being treated at Bendigo Health.

Each of the 15 specially fitted suites which make up Bendigo Bank House have been funded by branches including; Inglewood, Heathcote, Rushworth, Donald, Elmore, Lockington and Rochester Community Bank^® branches, Kyneton, Cohuna, Swan Hill, Kerang, Mildura, Castlemaine, Echuca and Deniliquin Bendigo Bank branches.

To make Bendigo Bank House feel more like home, supporters such as; Bendigo Telco, Spotless and Gouge also generously lent their expertise over the last year to help create a comfortable space for residents to live or work in, while receiving treatment or caring for loved ones.

As a result, the accommodation suites are now fitted out to reflect patients’ hometowns and furnished with sincere wishes of good health from the local community, to help them to feel as close to home as possible.

Marnie Baker, Managing Director, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank said the community response to the establishment of Bendigo Bank House has been incredible.

“With an average of 280 people now accessing accommodation at Bendigo Bank House on a monthly basis, it is clear the project team has done an outstanding job in its first 12 months,” Ms Baker said.

“The demand for the service has been extraordinary, and we are proud this community initiative has helped cater for so many vulnerable Victorians in its first year.

“We believe Bendigo Bank House will continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come and with the ongoing backing of our partners and supporters, we hope it will remain a ‘home away from home’ for the thousands of Victorians who travel to Bendigo for medical care every year.”

Clare Shiell, CEO, Exemplar Health said the organisation is extremely proud of the project and of its partnership with all its valued partners, especially Bendigo Bank.

“In the space of just 12 short months, it is amazing to see the positive impact the establishment of Bendigo Bank House has had on the local community,” Ms Shiell said.

“To have catered for and helped more than 2,100 patients, carers and family members in the first year is a stunning team effort by everyone involved. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who made this first year such a success, and we look forward to continuing to support this wonderful partnership with Bendigo Bank and all our project partners for many years to come,” Ms Shiell concluded.

Bendigo Bank House is located at 15 Bayne Street, Bendigo. Patients and their families can access more information and book accommodation at www.bendigobankhouse.com.au