The Victorian Government is ensuring people living in rural and regional areas have access to the world-class care they deserve close to home, unveiling more than $100 million in vital hospital upgrades across the state.
Nearly 80 rural and regional hospitals, community health services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations will share in $120 million from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) - creating hundreds of jobs.
The program will deliver a variety of projects across regional Victoria including operating theatre refurbishments, new waiting rooms and hospital beds, accessible paths and ramps, additional consulting rooms, expansions projects and equipment upgrades.
With 105 projects located across 40 rural and regional council areas in Victoria, the program is ensuring communities continue to be able to access high quality care from Cann River to Mildura.
This includes Central Highlands Rural Health who are receiving more than $4.5 million to upgrade their operating theatre so more locals can get the surgeries they need, closer to home.
In Cobram, more than $5.6 million is being invested in NCN Health to renovate the Urgent Care Centre, improving clinical care and infection control measures and enhancing staff and patient safety.
South West Healthcare are receiving more than $2.3 million for a purpose-built community mental health facility in Hamilton, increasing local access to mental health care and services.
More than $1.2 million for the East Grampians Health Service will modernise their medical imaging department to meet increased demand and relocate the Palliative Care service delivering greater privacy for families.
These projects build on the more 380 projects the RHIF has made possible since it was created in 2016. Projects include the $9.7 million Healthy Community Access Hub in Kyneton, $6 million Aboriginal Co-operative Medical and Regional Health Hub in Ballarat and a $4 million Integrated Health Centre in Yarram.
With this latest round of RHIF projects the Government has now invested $490 million in regional healthcare projects across the state - the largest program of its type in Victoria. More information at projects funded by the RHIF at vhba.vic.gov.au/health/regional-facilities/regional-health-infrastructure-fund.
As stated by Minister for Health Martin Foley
"Every Victorian deserves access to high quality, safe care when they need it - we're supporting rural and regional health services to do just that while creating hundreds of jobs."
"This is about ensuring regional patients get the best care, from the best professionals, in the best facilities close to home."
"We're continuing to invest in our local hospitals and health services - and the health of all Victorians no matter where they live."
