April 2008

New short stay unit to ease demand on Latrobe hospital

A new $460,000 short stay unit at Latrobe Regional Hospital will help treat patients more quickly.

Visiting Traralgon to officially open the new six-bed unit, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said non-critical patients would be able to receive more efficient treatment in the designated unit, which has been designed for those patients most likely to be discharged within 24 hours.

Mr Andrews said cubicles in the emergency department would be freed up as a result.

‘The short stay unit will provide treatment for those patients who are likely to be discharged within the day and will help alleviate demand for cubicles in the emergency department,’ Mr Andrews said.

‘This includes patients who require tests to determine the seriousness of their condition or a short course of treatment for conditions that may be resolved in a few hours.’

Mr Andrews said the unit—located near the emergency department for easy access to health professionals—included an additional two beds for the Hospital in the Home program.

Mr Andrews said the new unit comes on top of record funding for Latrobe Regional Hospital of more than $83.5 million in 2007/08.

‘In addition, earlier this year we announced $350,000 for interim works to provide more beds in emergency and more than $600,000 to update and replace life-saving medical equipment as part of the Government’s Targeted Equipment Program.

‘And work has also started on a new masterplan to model services for the future.’