My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health, and it is in regard to health services in the Western Victoria Region. As a result of the historic agreement made between the federal and state Labor governments some months ago, it was recently announced that Colac Area Health would receive $1.5 million to expand its recovery area. I know that Colac Area Health was particularly pleased with that announcement, because I was contacted by the chief executive officer, Mr Geoff Isles.
On that day further announcements were made in relation to Barwon Health, which will receive $9.5 million for an additional eight sub-acute beds and a rehabilitation centre in Belmont, and Western District Health Service, which will receive $3.5 million for eight sub-acute beds.
We also have a program of ongoing capital works in our health sector, but I am particularly aware of the $225 million over four years to replace medical equipment throughout hospitals and to upgrade buildings and engineering infrastructure.
As part of this commitment, I ask the Minister for Health to take action to ensure that funding is allocated for the upgrading of medical equipment at Colac Area Health, Portland hospital, Heywood, Camperdown, Warrnambool and Hamilton so those health services can continue to provide high-quality health services to the residents of western Victoria.
