Patients in Geelong will get the surgery they need sooner, with Australia’s largest ever one-off investment to tackle elective surgery waiting lists in the 2016-17 Victorian Budget.
The $335 million boost will mean nearly 200,000 Victorians will get the surgery they need sooner this year.
As part of this package, health services across Victoria – including Barwon Health – will also share in a funding boost to build new theatres, open more beds and buy more equipment so they can treat more patients, more quickly.
Barwon Health will receive funding for new ICU equipment to provide better critical care for Geelong patients.
This new equipment will help Barwon Health doctors and nurses treat more patients, more quickly.
This record investment in elective surgery will mean the patients currently waiting the longest for surgeries will move off hospital waiting lists and get the surgeries they need sooner.
Those patients waiting the longest, with the most complex surgeries, will be prioritised. This record investment will mean that these patients will now get the surgery they need.
The additional funding this year is the equivalent of:
- Around 3,100 more coronary artery by-pass grafts
- Around 6,700 more hip replacements
- Around 6,800 more knee replacements
- Around 22,000 more sinus and ear operations
- Around 34,000 more eye surgeries
Under the former Liberal Government, Victorians were waiting too long for vital surgeries and treatments with an average of 158,000 patients receiving surgery per year.
The $335 million boost includes funding over four years for additional elective surgery and an immediate $20 million capital works injection.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“This funding will support hospitals to treat more patients, more quickly and help get patients off waiting lists.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville
“Here at Barwon Health our investment will mean local patients can get the surgeries and treatment they need, close to home and as soon possible.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“This record investment in elective surgeries will mean those patients in Geelong currently waiting the longest will get the surgeries they need sooner.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lara John Eren
“We want people in Geelong to be healthy and happy at work, or at home with their families.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020