The Allan Labor Government is delivering faster emergency care for families in Melbourne's west - reducing wait times and getting our paramedics back on the road sooner.
Premier Jacinta Allan today visited Sunshine to announce a further $6 million will be invested in western suburbs emergency departments - to hire more staff, open more treatment spaces and improve patient flow.
Our paramedics and emergency departments are facing record demand with paramedics responding to more than 98,000 Code 1 callouts, and emergency departments having more than 513,200 presentations last quarter.
It's why Western Health will receive more than $4.5 million to improve patient flow at Sunshine Hospital. This funding will support them to hire more doctors, nurses and allied health workers - to increase ED capacity, and improve ambulance offload times.
To help patients transition from hospital to home and free up beds, Western Health will also recruit two discharge coordinators as well as additional nursing and support staff.
In addition, Western Health will expand their 'fast-track' model of care - recruiting additional clinical staff to open six overnight cubicles, helping ensure timely access to care for patients who present with less serious injuries and illnesses.
'Fast-track' cubicles allow for quicker assessment and discharge of Category 4-5 patients, reducing wait times and improving throughput and flow for patients attending via ambulance.
While the Government gets on with delivering the massive expansion of Werribee Mercy Hospital's emergency department - Mercy Health will also receive more than $1.5 million to establish the 'fast-track' model of care.
This will see the establishment of three treatment cubicles 7:00am - 9.30pm every day of the week - to improve patient flow, reduce wait times, and enhance care for lower acuity presentations.
This investment builds on initiatives currently underway in hospitals - including new handover standards - to deliver faster care, support staff in busy emergency departments, and get paramedics back on the road sooner.
The Labor Government's Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinics are also continuing to help ease pressure, allowing Victorians access the care they need while avoiding a trip to the emergency.
The Virtual Hospital and Point Cook Community Hospital will also ensure patients in the west get the care they need once operational.
The Labor Government will always deliver people in Melbourne's west the care they deserve - it's why the Government delivered the Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital, and is delivering the massive $1.5 billion Footscray Hospital which will open early next year and the new Melton Hospital which will open by 2029.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"Our paramedics, nurses and doctors have never been busier. This investment means more support for them, faster care for Victorians - and ambulances back on the road sooner."
"Families are flocking to Melbourne's west and whether it's opening Urgent Care Clinics, building new hospitals or hiring more doctors and nurses - we're making sure they can get the care they need."
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"This is just another way that we are investing in emergency care to make sure all Victorians get the care they need, because in an emergency, every second counts."
As stated by Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
"We're making sure hospitals across Melbourne's west have the staff, equipment and spaces they need to care for our growing community."
