Premier

Innovative Health Projects To Deliver Better Care To Victorians

30 November 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is investing in 11 innovative projects that will give patients across Victoria better access to higher quality health care.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today announced projects to share in funding from the third round of the Labor Government’s Better Care Victoria Innovation Fund.

Better Care Victoria, led by an independent board chaired by former AMA President Dr Douglas Travis, drives innovation across the health system to improve patient care. The fund is supporting projects that improve the efficiency and productivity of our health system, improve patient outcomes and reduce waiting times.

Key projects to receive funding include a new ‘safe haven’ café for people with a mental illness at St Vincent’s Hospital, and a shortlisting program to boost timely access to palliative care in Melbourne’s south east.

Other projects will establish a ‘one-stop-shop’ chronic disease early detection and management program in Melbourne’s west, and a new screening program at the Royal Women’s Hospital to enable jaundiced newborns to stay at home.

Alfred Health will also set up a new clinic to safely diagnose patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, while the Royal Children’s Hospital will integrate specialist paediatricians within GP practices.

The Labor Government’s Victorian Budget 2017/18 delivers $1.67 billion to support hospitals to meet demand, and provide the high quality care that Victorian patients deserve.

This included a $10 million boost to the Better Care Victoria Innovation Fund, taking total investment to $20 million. So far, the innovation fund has funded 33 projects across the state.

The government is also investing $215 million to overhaul quality and safety in the health system and drive down avoidable harm.

For a full list of funded projects, visit www.bettercare.vic.gov.auExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We are making sure more Victorians – no matter where they live – can get the first class care they expect and deserve, when they need it.”

“With ever increasing demand on our health system, we know we need to do things differently. These pioneering projects will drive continuous improvements to help outcomes and change lives."

“Through the Better Care Victoria Fund we’re drawing on our best and brightest clinical minds to find new, more effective ways to treat more patients, sooner.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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