More Colac patients will get the surgeries they need sooner thanks to an Andrews Labor Government funding boost to upgrade critical air conditioning and sterilisation equipment at Colac Area Health.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announced Colac Area Health would receive $349,000 through the Labor Government’s 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.
The funding boost for Colac Area Health will be used to buy the latest technology in medical equipment sterilisation and air conditioning systems.
This will include a major update to the hospital’s Central Sterile Service Department where medical instruments and devices from the hospital’s operating theatre are cleaned and sterilised.
Other upgrades will see better air conditioning and reverse osmosis water filtration systems installed in the operating theatre.
The infrastructure upgrade will enable doctors to perform more surgeries by expanding capacity and improving the quality, reliability and safety of hospital infrastructure.
This will improve patient outcomes, deliver safer and better care, while also meeting increasing demand for local surgical services.
During her visit, Ms Tierney also announced Otway Health and Community Services would receive $205,559 through the fund for the upgrade of X-Ray equipment and room refurbishment.
Last year’s budget delivered $1.67 billion to support hospitals meet demand and provide the high quality care Victorian patients deserve, as well as $428.5 million in new hospital upgrades.
In 2017/18, Colac Area Health will receive $25.6 million in funding from the Labor Government – $750,000 more than provided in the previous financial year.
This is in stark contrast from the $2.1 billion Malcolm Turnbull is trying to rip off from Victorian hospitals in their dud proposed Heads of Agreement for the National Health Reform Agreement 2020/21 to 2024/25.
This is on top of the $104 million that Victoria is already owed by the Federal Liberal Government – but that Malcolm Turnbull is refusing to pay – despite independent advice confirming Victoria is entitled to the funding.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“We’re putting patients first and revamping technology for Colac Area Health and Otway Health and Community Services so more local patients can be treated sooner, closer to home.”
“Doctors and nurses at these two hospitals already do a remarkable job. We’re supporting them so they can keep doing that – saving lives and keeping locals healthy with safer and more reliable, modern facilities.”
“Here in Colac, we’re making sure more patients get the safe, high quality care and surgeries they need with a major upgrade of hospital’s sterilisation systems.”