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Major Infrastructure Upgrade For Ballarat Hospital

11 April 2018

More Ballarat patients with a mental illness will get better access to safer and higher quality facilities thanks to an Andrews Labor Government funding boost to upgrade critical infrastructure at Ballarat Base Hospital.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today joined Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight to announce Ballarat Health Services would receive more than $1.39 million through the second round of the Labor Government’s Rural Health Infrastructure Fund.

The funding boost for Ballarat Base Hospital will be used to replace zoned air-conditioning throughout the hospital’s mental health facility. With improved comfort, quality and safety in the mental health facilities at Ballarat Base Hospital, patients will enjoy better health outcomes.

Meanwhile, the hospital will also replace existing hot water boilers with systems that are 20 per cent more efficient, improving reliability, efficiency and saving money on expensive energy bills.

The latest funding comes on top of $4 million provided to Ballarat Health Services in the first round of the Fund to start planning for future needs of the hospital and replace six laparoscopic cameras in the existing operating suites.

At the Queen Elizabeth centre we have replaced chillers and expanded wireless networks.

Last week the Fund was expanded by a further $50 million – taking the total investment into our rural and regional health services to $250 million. The Fund is the largest of its kind in Victorian history, and is giving all Victorians access to the high quality care and facilities they need, no matter where they live.

Last year’s budget delivered $1.67 billion to support hospitals meet demand and provide the high quality care Victorian patients deserve, as well as $428.5 million in new hospital upgrades.

This is in stark contrast to Malcolm Turnbull who has declared his intention to short-change Victoria’s hospitals by $2.1 billion – and put patients at risk – with his proposed and deeply flawed National Health Reform Agreement.

In last year’s budget, Ballarat Health Services received $273.3 million in funding from the Labor Government. This is $17.5 million or 6.8 per cent more than provided the previous financial year, and a whopping $48.3 million or 21.5 per cent more than when the Liberals were in government.

Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We’re putting patients first and revamping our rural and regional health services across the state so more patients in rural Victoria can be treated sooner, closer to home.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley

“Doctors and nurses at Ballarat do a remarkable job. We’re making sure Ballarat patients get the best care, from the best professionals, in the best facilities.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

“Here in Ballarat, patients with a mental illness will get the safe, high quality care they deserve thanks to a major upgrade of air conditioning systems.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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