- Published:
- Monday 6 June 2016
University Hospital Geelong will open up beds on Baxter Ward 7 to meet extra demand for winter thanks to a record funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, today announced Barwon Health would receive a multi-million dollar funding boost from the biggest ever increase in health funding from the Victorian Budget 2016/17.
The Budget delivered an extra $2.45 billion in health funding, including a massive $1.63 billion boost for hospitals, ambulance and health programs.
As part of the Budget boost, Barwon Health will have the funding it needs to start opening a new 32 bed ward on level seven of the Barwon Wing from July, which will increase the capacity of the hospital.
Initially, this will cater for acute patients to meet an expected increase in demand over winter, before being transformed into palliative care beds from November.
This means patients in Geelong and beyond will have better access to high quality palliative care services, when they need it.
In addition, the Budget also delivered a further $1.4 million boost for Barwon Health to immediately open 10 beds.
The Labor Government is getting on with giving the dedicated doctors and nurses at Barwon Health the funding they need to increase services, treat more patients sooner and keep people healthy.
In 2015/16, Barwon Health received an additional $20.24 million in recurrent funding, bringing their total funding to $441 million.
The Government will release 2016/17 funding allocations later this month.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Our record funding boost in this year’s Budget means Barwon Health will have the funding it needs to open up these additional beds.”
“Barwon’s Health’s dedicated doctors and nurses do a remarkable job – we are proud to support them by opening more beds to treat patients faster, and reduce wait times for surgery and emergency care.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couznes
“This extra funding for Barwon Health means more patients will be able to access the high quality and safe care they need and deserve, when they need it, especially during the busy winter months.”
“I am proud to have helped secure this extra funding for Barwon Health so they can open more beds.”