May 2005

Building up our health system

Victorians will have access to a new Royal Children’s hospital, extra hospital beds and more world-class medical equipment under a $358 million capital boost to the health system.

Health Minister Brownyn Pike said the Budget would continue the Government’s work on the health system with projects including a new $30 million, 60-bed health and aged care facility at Knox and major hospital upgrades.

These include:

• $38 million to start work on a new Royal Children’s Hospital;

• $10 million for the redevelopment and expansion of the Monash Medical Centre;

• $24.5 million for the redevelopment and expansion of the Northern Hospital, including $1 million to extend the emergency department.

The $30 million Knox investment will deliver a 30-bed palliative care and 30-bed geriatric evaluation and management and rehabilitation facility.

‘This new facility will provide specialist aged care for the outer east region and will provide for complementary private sector or not-for-profit development which may include after hours GP and diagnostic services,’ Ms Pike said.

‘It will also support an associated Ambulatory Rehabilitation Centre and accommodation for the relocated Eastern Palliative Care Team to improve continuity of care.’

The Budget also commits a massive $35 million for new medical equipment, a further $42 million to complete Super Clinics in Craigieburn, Melton and Lilydale and $20 million to upgrade hospital infrastructure and fund maintenance works.

Ms Pike said the stage two redevelopment of the Northern Hospital would reconfigure existing facilities and develop extra services to meet the hospital’s needs through to 2010.

‘We will fund a new major single-storey extension with 64 extra inpatient beds and new outpatients clinics and extensions to existing paediatric and emergency facilities.’

A further $10 million has been earmarked for the redevelopment and expansion of one of the State’s busiest emergency departments at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton.

It includes 16 additional treatment cubicles, establishment of a 10-bed short stay area and a four-bed chest pain evaluation area, a decontamination facility and infectious diseases isolation area.

A further $40 million will be invested in four other emergency department projects.

Ms Pike said other health capital projects included:

• $10 million for Maroondah Hospital Stage 2a;

• $20 million for the Metropolitan Food Services Redevelopment;

• $12 million to upgrade energy infrastructure at the Royal Melbourne Hospital;

• $1 million for Doutta Galla Community Health Centre to install seven extra dental chairs;

Under A Fairer Victoria the Government will also invest in a $55.5 million capital upgrade in mental health system with five new projects funded.

Ms Pike said a massive boost to the ambulance system would include:

• $3.7 million to replace 36 ambulance stretcher vehicles with new, modern ambulances;

• $6.8 million to upgrade the communications system of Rural Ambulance Victoria;

• $2.4 million for three new 24-hour ambulance stations at Vermont South/Burwood East, Mordialloc/Parkdale and Ocean Grove/Barwon Heads and to equip two new peak period units in Melton and Sunbury.

Ms Pike said $7.1 million would be provided to the Victorian Respiratory Support Service (VRSS) for a new 20-bed residential care facility, providing community-based accommodation.

‘This will enable ventilatory support for clients who do not have appropriate domestic support and require accommodation and care, including severely disabled patients living at home who need regular respite care,’ Ms Pike said.

The Budget also includes a further $61 million investment in residential aged care facilities.