More patients in Colac will get the high quality care they need sooner thanks to an Andrews Labor Government funding boost to upgrade vital equipment at Colac Hospital.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced Colac Area Health would receive $642,000 through the first round of the Labor Government’s new Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
The $200 million fund – the largest of its kind in Victorian history – will rebuild rural and regional hospitals to ensure all Victorians can access the high quality care and facilities they need, no matter where they live.
For Colac Area Health, we are investing $642,000 for the installation of Fire Protection and Emergency Warning Systems.
These systems include installation of an Automatic Fire Suppression System that will see sprinklers throughout the Acute services building including peri-operative and urgent care areas. An inline pump that will facilitate pumping directly from the authority mains and a Building Occupancy Warning System will enable staff communication across the entire campus and allow capacity for emergency code announcements.
Due to be installed by early 2018, this infrastructure will ensure the quality and safety of operations across Colac Area Health.
During her visit to Colac, Ms Tierney also announced Otway Health and Community Services would receive $371,757 through the fund to upgrade the Urgent Care Unit, including the heating and airconditioning system, at Apollo Bay Hospital.
These investments will mean better and safer care for patients and modern facilities for staff by improving reliability of engineering infrastructure.
The Victorian Budget 2016/17 provided an extra $2.45 billion for health so hospitals can admit more patients, reduce waiting times, upgrade buildings and infrastructure, and keep Victorians healthy.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“We’re putting patients first and revamping our rural and regional health services so more patients in Colac and the Otways can be treated sooner, closer to home.”
“Our investment will secure the future of our local health service and make a real difference to the lives of patients who will get the safe, high quality care and treatment they need.”
“Our dedicated doctors and nurses at Colac Area Health and the Otway Health and Community Services do a remarkable job.”
“We’re supporting them to do their job saving lives and keeping locals healthy by giving them the modern facilities they truly deserve.”