The Andrews Labor Government has this morning announced that it will be investing $18.7 million to deliver a bigger, better emergency department at Swan Hill District Health that will provide world-class healthcare for local families and create more than a hundred new jobs in Victoria’s north-west.
Minister for Health Martin Foley today announced the funding – bringing the total investment (with Federal funding) for the emergency department redevelopment to $48.7 million.
“This redevelopment will deliver world-class health facilities to ensure residents in the Mallee and surrounds receive the very best of care, closer to home.”
“Swan Hill District Health’s nurses, doctors, allied health and orderlies do an incredible job. We’re supporting them to do what they do best – saving lives and keeping locals healthy.” Minister Foley said.
The redevelopment will replace the outdated emergency department and add a short-stay unit – creating a new high-quality clinical environment that meets the current and future needs of the local community and supports the privacy of patients.
Once completed, the new emergency department will provide residents in the Mallee and surrounds with access to world-class healthcare, closer to home and shorter waiting times for patients needing urgent care.
The project will create up to 145 jobs during the peak of construction, with work to start in 2022 and expected to finish in 2024.
Member for Northern Victoria, Mark Gepp said. “We’re giving local families in the Mallee peace of mind that world-class healthcare is on their doorstep, when they need it, and creating more than a hundred jobs during construction.”
Swan Hill District Health was also one of 76 health services to share $160 million in funding from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program and Medical Equipment Replacement Program to ensure hospitals across the state can continue doing what they do best – saving lives.
The health service received $790,000 for a new Computed Tomography Unit through the Medical Equipment Replacement Fund.
It’s part of the Government’s more than $8 billion pipeline of health infrastructure – the largest building program in the state’s history.
See our comprehensive coverage in tomorrow’s issue of the Guardian or online at www.theguardian.com.au
