Money for Horsham, Ararat hospitals

Wimmera Health Care Group and East Grampians Health Service have been included in a one-off cash boost to modernise ageing infrastructure.

Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said the State Government recognised more funding was needed to meet demand across aging Victorian facilities.

The $20-million boost comes on top of $25-million already provided through the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program in 2016-17.

Wimmera Health Care Group received $300,000 towards theatre air handling units at Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham, and East Grampians Health Service $339,000 towards domestic heating and hotwater boilers at its Ararat campus.

Ms Pulford said the program helped 21 health services replace essential equipment, such as heating and air conditioning systems, nurse call communication systems, as well as upgrading electrical, water and fire services and lifts, last year.

“Our dedicated doctors and nurses at East Grampians Health Service and Wimmera Health Care Group do a wonderful job,” she said.

“This investment is about modernising the facilities they need to save lives and keep people in the Wimmera healthy.”

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said new models of engineering infrastructure were vital to improve efficiency and reliability, and would ensure patients received the best treatment no matter where they lived.