General News
16 July, 2025
Surgeon opens up on 'world class' Stawell theatre
Grampians Health surgeon Mat Jacob really enjoys his working trips to the Stawell campus.
While he likes the 90-minute drive from Ballarat, Mr Jacob said it was really the campus theatres
and the surgical team that impressed him most.
“It’s fantastic being able to work at Stawell hospital,” Mr Jacob said.
“Their new theatre facilities are world class.
“The endoscopy towers are advanced and we are using the latest equipment at Stawell.
"It’s a pleasure to work there because you get to provide a high-quality service using modern
technology.”
Grampians Health’s new $5.15 million operating theatre features an expanded recovery area, a
dedicated endoscopy reprocessing room, sterile stock storage, a staff write-up space, an eye block
anaesthesia area and improved staff amenities.
Mr Jacob also commended Stawell’s theatre staff.
“The staff there are incredible," he said.
"They are always so lovely to work with and they emanate that nice ‘small hospital team’ environment, which makes the patients feel safe and cared for.
“They are always wanting to learn and they are excited to be able to do more surgical cases
because it is keeping their skills up to date."
Mr Jacob undertook his medical schooling in Western Australia where he trained as a general surgeon before completing a colorectal fellowship in South Australia.
In the final year of his fellowship, he transferred to Ballarat where he has been based for the past four years.
“I love being based in Ballarat because it’s like an ideal hub for my work," he said.
"It has that perfect combination of regionality and service provision.
“Apart from working in Ballarat, I also operate in Stawell, Ararat and Maryborough and I’m able to
do the service provision lists almost once a week.
"You wouldn’t be able to do that in the city hospitals.”
Mr Jacob performs general surgery at Stawell which can include gall bladder surgery, hernia
repairs, skin operations and endoscopies.
He said an average day at Stawell could include three or four operations and about eight endoscopies.
“I’m seeing 10 or 11 patients each trip but I’m hoping to increase my surgical list there when the
opportunity arises,” he said.
With the opening of the second theatre in Stawell, the campus now has 14 surgeons working in
rotation there.
Grampians Health chief operating officer Hospitals Ben Kelly said Mr Jacob’s sentiments toward
the Stawell theatre facilities and team were a common theme echoing through the surgical community.
“The new theatre has been such a great outcome for the Stawell community and it’s reassuring for all to know there is a great team there delivering quality care," Mr Kelly said.
“Grampians Health will continue to deliver on its commitment to both strengthen and increase
services to the region.”