Premier

Building better hospitals for better healthcare

01 May 2018

Even more Victorians will have access to quality healthcare close to home, thanks to a massive new investment in our state’s hospitals.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 invests $1.2 billion in hospital upgrades and equipment to give our hardworking doctors, nurses and paramedics the world-class facilities they need to keep saving lives.

With a focus on rural and regional Victoria, the Budget’s centrepiece is a $461.6 million investment to redevelop the Ballarat Base Hospital. The project will create a new emergency department, a modernised acute mental health facility, an intensive care unit, a women’s and children’s hub, an expanded critical care ‘hot floor’, and at least an extra 100 inpatient beds.

The Budget also invests $115 million to expand Wonthaggi Hospital, building a new theatre, emergency department and inpatient rooms, to meet the community’s growing needs. The project will also deliver 345 jobs.

A $50 million boost to the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund will mean more rural and regional hospitals get the upgrades they need to care for and treat more patients.

The Budget also includes $123.8 million to roll-out electronic medical records across the Royal Melbourne, Peter Mac and the Royal Women’s hospitals, helping to save lives, and supporting medical research.

A $29.6 million update of Sunshine Hospital’s emergency department will create a separate space for children and their families, ensuring our sickest kids get treatment sooner.

Funding has also been delivered to purchase land for the new Footscray Hospital with a site selection to be made in coming months.

The Budget will also deliver:

  • $69.5 million to support urgent works at the Alfred Hospital to upgrade fire safety compliance
  • $72 million for key technology and medical equipment, so that our clinicians have everything they need to keep saving lives
  • $396 million to fully fund Australia’s first standalone Heart Hospital, to provide the very best cardiac care for patients with heart disease, bringing the total investment to $543 million.

This Budget builds on the record investment we’ve made in our hospitals and ambulance services to make sure every Victorian, no matter where they live, has access to the quality care they deserve.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy

“This investment is more than just bricks and mortar – it’s about making sure every patient gets the very best healthcare, wherever they live.”

“Because every Victorian deserves access to quality care, we’re putting more money into our rural and regional hospitals, and upgrading and expanding Ballarat Base and Wonthaggi hospitals.”

“Whether it’s important works at the Alfred and Sunshine hospitals, purchasing land for a new Footscray Hospital or delivering Australia’s first Heart Hospital, we’re building a healthcare system Victorians can count on.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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