Boost for Stawell health

An extra $220,000 State Government commitment for Stawell Regional Health will go towards two steriliser units to expand Stawell hospital’s central sterile department.

The extra units will expand opportunities for doctors to perform more surgeries, reduce cancellations and improve the reliability of medical equipment.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced the funding boost as part of the government’s $200-million Regional Health Infrastructure fund and while Premier Daniel Andrews was on a whirlwind visit to the region.

Ms Hennessey said the money was part of a statewide project to rebuild rural and regional hospitals to ensure all Victorians could access high-quality care and facilities regardless of where they lived. She said Stawell Regional Health was receiving $16.06-million in State Government funding during 2016-17, $568,000 or 3.7 percent more than provided the previous financial year.