Bendigo Bank has now opened Bendigo Bank House, a new short-term, affordable and subsidised accommodation facility at Bendigo Hospital for regional patients, their carers and families who need to be away from home while being treated at the hospital. Over $200,000 has been invested in establishing Bendigo Bank House by the Bank and 13 of its community banks and regional communities, in partnership with Bendigo Health, Spotless, Exemplar Health and Gouge.

The new facility means patients and their families can stay close by the hospital during specialised treatments, ranging from oncology to psychology services, which usually take place over multiple days.

Bendigo Hospital is now Victoria’s largest regional hospital development, servicing a quarter of the State from Kyneton to Mildura. As a result, more patients are travelling to Bendigo for specialty services. Over the past three years, Bendigo Health has seen a 22 percent increase in the number patients travelling to Bendigo for treatment. Last financial year, 14,460 patients came from outside Bendigo.

The new, means-tested, comfortable accommodation aims to ease the financial and emotional burden for patients and their families. Each of the 15 specially-fitted rooms has been funded by a regional Bendigo Bank or Community Bank® branch including Inglewood, Heathcote, Rushworth, Donald, Elmore/Lockington/Rochester, Kyneton, Cohuna, Swan Hill, Kerang, Mildura (Langtree Ave), Castlemaine, Echuca and Deniliquin.

Bendigo Bank House has 15 rooms:
• Eight one-bedroom studio rooms
• One one-bedroom apartment
• Three two-bedroom apartments
• Three three-bedroom apartments

There is a common kitchen; lounge, laundry and library facilities as well as a shared workspace with office services. Each apartment has its own kitchen.
“For many regional patients travelling to Bendigo, finding and paying for accommodation during an already emotional time can take its toll. Staying somewhere comfortable and familiar with family and friends can make a challenging time a lot more bearable. Bendigo Bank House is a wonderful partnership bringing together multiple regional communities to further improve the excellent care Bendigo Health provides to the Loddon Valley,” said Bob Cameron, Chair, Bendigo Health.

Robert Johanson, Chairman, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank said “All of us at Bendigo Bank are proud to support this important community initiative for regional Victoria. Backing projects important to Australian communities is critical to our success and goes back to the principles that were established by our founders 160 years ago.”

Last year, Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank® network paid $5.5 million in shareholder dividends, employed 1,500 people, with $100 million in wages and services spent locally. Since 1998, $200 million has been invested in Australian communities. 

The Bendigo Bank House building is the former the Alexander Bayne Centre. It is located at 15 Bayne Street, Bendigo. Patients and their families can access the website www.bendigobankhouse.com.au   for more information and to book accommodation.