More south west Victorians will get the world-class care they deserve with the Andrews Labor Government giving hospitals across the state the latest life-saving medical equipment and upgrading vital infrastructure.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney has announced Colac Area Health, Hesse Rural Health and Lorne Community Hospital are three of 76 health services that will share $160 million in funding to ensure hospitals across the state can continue doing what they do best – saving lives.
The three services will receive nearly $1.7 million for improvement works for upgraded medical imaging and better communications, from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).
| Colac Area Health | Increasing patient safety with new CT scanner machine, Plus a medical imaging wing electrical upgrade
Upgrading endoscopy equipment including 6 colonoscopes and 4 gastroscopes |
$580,000
$628, 316 |
| Hesse Rural Health (Winchelsea) | An expansion of the nurse call system to include more communication options when a patient or doctor calls | $185,614 |
| Lorne Community Hospital | Medical imaging upgrade, including new fixed digital X-ray equipment | $265,251 |
The RHIF received a further boost in the Victorian Budget 2020-21 with an additional $120 million bringing total funding to $470 million and is the largest program of its type in Victoria.
Submissions for the next round of the RHIF open on 27 January 2021 and close on 9 March 2021.
Across Victoria, health services will also receive funding through the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program to upgrade or replace important equipment including generators, chillers, emergency lighting, patient lifts and water and fire service upgrades.
Under this program, Colac Area Health will receive a further $1,779,100 to replace and
relocate its generator with a new one that will provide for the whole facility, along with
extensive electrical and acoustic work.
The Budget also provided a $50 million boost to the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program and $35 million boost to the Medical Equipment Replacement Program.
Submissions for the next round of Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program and Medical Equipment Replacement Program open on 16 December 2020 and close on 8 February 2021.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The Andrews Labor Government is investing in hospitals right across the state and our dedicated doctors, nurses, and patients are all set to benefit – including right here in our south west communities.”
“This funding means health services in Colac, Winchelsea and Lorne can delivery world-class care for local families in our regions.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Martin Foley
“We’re giving our dedicated doctors and nurses the equipment they need to do their job and save lives.”
“This funding will help hospitals across the state deliver the high-quality care Victorians deserve.”