Infrastructure boost for South Gippsland Hospital

SOUTH Gippsland Hospital is one of nine regional hospitals set to receive a share of $55 million for new equipment and upgrades in the Government’s announcement this morning.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan and Acting Minister for Health Lizzie Blandthorn today announced 23 health services across Victoria will share in $55 million for new medical equipment and essential infrastructure upgrades they need to continue providing world-class healthcare for all Victorians.

South Gippsland Hospital will receive $465,000 from the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Fund to purchase three generators to replace ageing infrastructure, whilst Latrobe Regional Hospital has also been listed as one of the funding recipients.

As part of the latest round of the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program, 18 health services across Victoria will share in more than $20 million to upgrade important infrastructure such as generators, chillers, emergency lighting, nurse call systems, air conditioning systems, patient lifts and alarm systems.

In addition, as part of the Government’s Medical Equipment Replacement Program (MERT), hospitals will receive new equipment for a range of services – diagnostic tools like MRI machines, microscopes, digital X-Ray units and CT scanners as well as heart imaging equipment such as fluoroscopy units and SPECT-CT gamma cameras.

Monash Health is one of 19 health services sharing in more than $35 million through the MERT to purchase the latest medical equipment, with Casey Hospital receiving more than $2.3 million to purchase a new CT scanner X-Ray unit – boosting their diagnostic capacity.

“We’re giving our hardworking doctors and nurses the equipment they need, so they can continue doing what they do best – saving lives,” Acting Premier Jacinta Allan stated.

“While there is always work that needs to be done to improve our health system, fixing primary care must be the Commonwealth’s top priority – so every Australian can get the affordable healthcare they deserve.”