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Work Starts On World Class Ballarat Hospital Cath Lab

14 November 2016

Construction of the Andrews Labor Government’s $10 million new world class catheterisation laboratory for cardiac surgery at Ballarat Base hospital is now underway, creating 30 jobs.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy, Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard and Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight today marked the start of works to build and fit out a second cardiac cath lab at the hospital.

Cardiac catheterisation laboratories – known as ‘cath labs’ – are used for lifesaving heart procedures such as stenting, angiography, inserting pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.

The Labor Government is building a new cath lab to boost access to world class cardiac surgery and care, closer to home, for patients in Ballarat and across Western Victoria.

A second cath lab in Ballarat, plus additional recovery space, will significantly increase capacity, meaning more people with cardiovascular disease can get the care they need sooner and enjoy better health outcomes.

More patients will also be able access urgent heart assessments and procedures in Ballarat instead of travelling to Melbourne or Geelong, saving families money from expensive travel and accommodation costs.

National Heart Foundation data shows 32.3 per cent of people in Ballarat have cardiovascular disease which can cause heart attacks and stroke, the highest rate in Victoria.

Local Ballarat contractors SJ Weir are building the new cath lab, which is expected to be complete by late 2017.

In 2016/17, Ballarat Health Services will receive $257.44 million in funding from the Labor Government. This is $17.33 million – or 7.2 per cent – more than provided the previous financial year.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“Patients with cardiovascular disease in Western Victoria will soon have better access to the lifesaving cardiac care they deserve.”

“We’re putting patients in regional Victoria first. Our cath lab will expand capacity here in Ballarat and save lives.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard

“Labor built Ballarat’s first cath lab in 2009, and we’re proud to be building the region’s second to meet growing demand for cardiac care, closer to home.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

“This project means more patients in Ballarat and beyond will get the world class cardiac surgery they need faster, right on their doorstep.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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