Investing In Health In Melbourne’s West
The Andrews Labor Government will invest $85 million to expand Werribee Mercy Hospital, providing families in Melbourne’s west with surgical and critical care services closer to home.
Located in one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, Werribee Mercy Hospital is in particular need of funding to expand and redevelop its facilities so it can meet the increasing health needs of the community.
The expansion will provide six additional operating theatres and support services, and 64 new inpatient beds, including eight beds for a new critical care unit.
It will also take the weight off other hospitals throughout Melbourne’s west, which are also under increasing pressure due to the growing population.
The expansion of Werribee Mercy Hospital is part of the Labor Government’s massive investment in health across the state.
The 2015-16 Victorian Budget provides an additional $2.1 billion to the health system, including $970 million extra for hospitals over the next four years to meet increased patient demand.
In addition, the Government is investing $560 million to build new hospitals, expand and redevelop health and ambulance facilities and to purchase or upgrade equipment. This is more than three times the amount invested in health assets than the Liberals funded in their last Budget.
Key projects include $200 million for a new Western Women’s and Children’s Hospital, $106.3 million for an expansion of Casey Hospital in Melbourne’s east, and $20 million to provide an intensive care unit and short stay unit at the Angliss Hospital.
In addition, the $200 million Hospital Beds Rescue Fund will open new beds and points of care at health services across the state, including at Box Hill Hospital, Northern Health, Dandenong Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The Labor Government is rebuilding Victoria’s health system after $1 billion in cuts under the Liberals and four years of under-investment in Victoria’s health capital program.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Our Budget is providing an extra $2.1 billion to health so that Victorian families can get the treatment and care they need and deserve.”
“We must ensure our health services can meet the demand of their communities, and this investment at Werribee Mercy Hospital will mean it can care for the growing population of Melbourne’s west.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy
“This expansion will mean families here in the west will have access to surgery and critical care services closer to home.”
“We have provided a massive boost to our health system, to try and fix the damage caused by four years of neglect under the Liberals.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Sydenham, Natalie Hutchins
“Last year this government ended the War on Paramedics and committed to building the Western Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine. Today Melbourne’s West has the full range of critical services at Sunshine Hospital.”
“The Sunshine Hospital critical care facility reaffirms that Labor governments take the health and wellbeing of Victorians and Melbourne’s West very seriously.”