The Victorian Government has funded the construction of a redevelopment for Box Hill Hospital.

With Baulderstone Pty Ltd accepting the building and construction contact from the state government, the redevelopment will cost $447.5 million including an extra $40 million from the 2011-2012 Budget, with completion expected by 2015.

Minister for Health, David Davis said the extra funding will mean the number of beds at the Box Hill Hospital will be 100 more than previously planned.

Mr Davis said the contractor is one of Australia’s largest building and engineering companies, which has previously delivered Victorian health projects including the Royal Women’s, Austin and Mercy hospitals and the Surgery Centre at the Alfred.

“The building contractors are highly experienced in managing the special and sensitive demands of hospital construction close to an operating hospital,” Mr Davis said.

He said the project will meet the growing demand for people living in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs after completion.

“The extra beds will enable Box Hill Hospital to treat more patients and the development will deliver expanded theatres, diagnostic services, outpatient clinics and staff facilities,” Mr Davis said.

Patients admitted through the emergency department will have improved waiting times for elective surgery from the extra funding support.

Features included at the hospital will be a larger emergency department with up to 20 beds for short stay patients, 11 operating theatres, an 18-bed intensive care unit, a precinct for women’s and children’s services, expanded cardiology, cancer and renal services and replacement of old and deteriorating wards.

“There will also be some refurbishment of the existing buildings including several wards, the outpatients department, ambulatory services, consulting rooms and staff offices,” Mr Davis said.

He said two floors of parking will be constructed under the building to provide 200 "nuch-needed" additional car spaces and secure bicycle storage.