- Published:
- Friday 18 February 2022
More nurses, doctors and healthcare workers will get the training they need to support regional communities like Maryborough with the healthcare they deserve – thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford today visited Maryborough and District Hospital to turn the sod on the new student accommodation facilities – marking the start of construction.
The Labor Government invested $4 million to deliver the new 20-bed facility, on the corner of Clarendon and Nightingale Streets, which will provide a comfortable and convenient place for medical, nursing and allied health students to stay during training and work placements
Funded as part of the Labor Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), the new facility will also include communal living, kitchen and dining areas and landscaped gardens.
Since establishing the RHIF in 2015, the Labor Government has invested more than $490 million in more than 380 projects for regional health services – the largest investment ever dedicated to our rural and regional health services.
Complementing modern training facilities and education programs already available in Maryborough, the new accommodation will help attract more undergraduate and postgraduate students to kick start their careers in the healthcare sector in regional Victoria.
This comes on top of the Labor Government’s $100 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to redevelop and expand the entire Maryborough and District Hospital.
The redevelopment will deliver a new urgent care centre, a 32-bed inpatient/birthing unit, two operating theatres and recovery spaces and a day medical centre with imaging and pathology services.
The project is being delivered by the Maryborough District Health Service in partnership with the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) and builder, SJ Weir. Works are expected to be completed by early 2023.
Since coming to office, the Labor Government has invested more than $133 billion into the healthcare system and the workers who support it.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re delivering more housing for student doctors to ensure locals can get the care they need – close to home.”
“This will complement the redeveloped hospital – that will ensure quality care for families and those they love.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford
“This new student accommodation is about giving regional students the training opportunities close to home, so they can keep their skills in their community and deliver the care their community needs.”