- Published:
- Friday 13 May 2016 at 2:15 pm
The Andrews Labor Government will fund a state-of-the-art rebuild and co-location of the Port Fairy ambulance station at the site of the Port Fairy Hospital.
Visiting the hospital today, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy also announced a new urgent care centre as part of the Government’s new $200 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
As part of the fund, Moyne Health Services in Port Fairy will receive $2.1 million to build a new urgent care centre ensuring local families can access the high quality and safe care they deserve, closer to home.
The new urgent care centre will deliver better care and comfort for patients, while also improving efficiency and expanding capacity, so more people can get the care they need, sooner.
The centre will be built on the corner of Villiers and Regent Streets, with direct access to the existing acute ward.
It will also feature a public entry and waiting room, three treatment cubicles, one monitored bed and ensuite, multi-purpose room, x-ray room, staff and office areas and ambulance drop off.
To deliver better connected care between local doctors, nurses and paramedics, the Government will build a new state-of-the-art ambulance station, co-located on the site of the hospital.
The modern, purpose-built station will replace the town’s current base which will built in the 1970s and poses safety risks to paramedics with reverse-in access for ambulances and ageing facilities.
The Labor Government will also rebuild the Terang Ambulance Station on its existing site on Hampden Street, Terang. It was also built in the 1970s and no longer meets the needs of today’s modern ambulance service.
The Victorian Budget 2016/17 delivered an extra $2.45 billion for health so hospitals can admit more patients, reduce waiting times, upgrade buildings and infrastructure, and keep Victorians healthy.
This includes $144 million to fix the ambulance system after four years of crisis and neglect under the former Liberal Government.
The $200 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund is the largest of its kind in Victorian history and will provide much needed upgrades to rural and regional hospitals, such as the new urgent care centre in Port Fairy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy
“Our new urgent care centre at Moyne Health Services will mean more locals and visitors to Port Fairy will be able to access quicker care in a modern and safe environment.”
“Port Fairy and Terang ambulance branches are past their use by date – that’s why we’re investing to upgrade the branches to give our hardworking paramedics the modern facilities they need and deserve.”
“We’re putting rural and regional patients first. Our record increases in health funding will mean people in communities like Port Fairy and Terang can access the very best care and ambulance services.”