More Phillip Island families will be able access the healthcare they need, closer to home, with the doors opening on a new one-stop shop for medical and community health services.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today joined Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing to officially open the state-of-the-art $6.5 million Phillip Island Health Hub in Church Street, Cowes.
It was made possible with $2.2 million from the Victorian Government, $2.5 million from the Commonwealth Government, $700,000 from Bass Coast Health and $1.1 million from the Warley Trust.
This boost will mean more people in the community will be seen in the modern facility, run by Bass Coast Health, which brings together a range of specialist medical, allied health and nursing services, conveniently housed under one roof and easy to access in the heart of Cowes.
Specialist medical consulting services for cardiology, gerontology, haematology, oncology, general surgery, ophthalmology, urology and plastics will now be delivered in modern treatment rooms.
It features allied health for adults and children, and specialist nursing services including cardiac, pulmonary and general rehabilitation, falls prevention programs, lymphoedema and continence services, hospital in the home and podiatry. It will be a new home for the district and community palliative care nursing and other services.
The project, built by local Bass Coast builder TS Constructions, was also a boost to the local economy with 12 jobs created during construction, as well as six apprenticeships, and the use of local suppliers. The facility will open to patients on 30 April.
In last year’s Budget, Bass Coast Health received $43.9 million in funding from the Labor Government. This is $5.4 million or 14.1 per cent more than the previous financial year, and a whopping $11.7 million or 36.6 per cent more than the Liberals’ last budget.
Last year our Government delivered $1.67 billion to support hospitals meet demand and provide the high quality care Victorian patients deserve. In addition, last month we also announced $1.9 million to upgrade critical infrastructure at Wonthaggi Hospital.
Our investment is in stark contrast to Malcolm Turnbull’s dud hospital’s funding deal which would shortchange Victorians by $2.1 billion in five years. That would mean $8.6 million less for Bass Coast Health, which is equivalent to 1,383 elective surgeries, 69 nurses or 29 doctors.
This is in addition to the $104 million Malcolm Turnbull owes but refuses to pay to Victorian hospitals – despite independent advice confirming Victoria is entitled to the funding.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“The impressive new hub in Cowes brings together a range of health services in a one-stop-shop, ensuring services are better connected, more efficient, and easier to access.”
“This means better and safer healthcare – and all under one roof. It makes life easier for local families and the island’s hard-working health professionals alike.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“We are putting patients first on Phillip Island and giving Bass Coast Health the extra funding it needs to keep locals and the ever expanding number of visitors healthy and deliver more services from the hub, now and into future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020