Two weeks from the day patients will be moved to the new hospital, Bendigo Health simulated the first three hours of the transition.

Actors and dummies represented a sample of the more than 200 patients to be shifted on January 24. 

Otherwise, clinical move director Robyn Lindsay said the conditions were as close to the reality of moving day as possible.

“We chose a Tuesday and set up out command centre just as it will be on January 24,” she said.

The simulation tested the systems and communications tools planned for the move, as well as the strategies for the movement of patients and staff. 

“It was important that we allocated the time and resources to complete a real time test of the move and to provide our staff with the opportunity to practice communicating with one another in real time,” Ms Lindsay said.

Ambulances helped test the planned journey and associated move schedule. About 20 ambulances are expected to assist on January 24.

“I am confident we have a robust and realistic plan to move patients to the new facility,” Ms Lindsay said.

Patients will be shifted from a range of locations, including the existing hospital, the rehabilitation inpatient unit on the Anne Caudle Centre Campus, and psychiatry facilities. 

Traffic management will be in place in the hospital precinct from just before 8am until about 5pm on January 24.

The new hospital will be closed to the public while the move is underway. Patient visitors will be restricted to immediate family and next of kin and will be able to visit from 5pm.  

Ms Lindsay said some exemptions would apply, at the discretion of staff.

The new emergency department, at Drought Street, opens at 8am on January 24. 

Until then, Ms Lindsay said people should seek emergency care at the existing emergency department at Stewart Street.

She said the phone numbers would be unchanged.