More residents across Daylesford and the surrounding area will soon be able to get surgery close to home, with works to upgrade and expand the operating theatres at Daylesford Hospital now underway.
Minister for Health and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Daylesford Campus of Central Highlands Rural Health to 'turn the first sod' on the project.
The project will upgrade Daylesford Hospital's operating theatre, patient waiting area, sterile stock storage area, recovery and admission areas - ensuring the hospital has the state-of-the-art facilities it needs, to deliver residents the best care.
The project will also replace ageing patient monitoring medical equipment, along with equipment in the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) and refurbish the CSSD processing area.
Once complete, the new operating theatres will allow Daylesford's dedicated doctors, nurses and healthcare workers to deliver more surgery to the community, close to home - ultimately reducing local surgery waitlists.
This latest funding builds on more than $800,000 already invested in Daylesford Hospital through the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program (EIRP) for new heating hot water boilers and reverse osmosis water plant as well as a further $544,500 to upgrade power to the hospital site.
Funded through the Andrews Labor Government's Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) - the redevelopment ensures that more local residents can access world-class healthcare closer to home now and into the future.
The RHIF - now worth $790 million - provides funding to rural and regional health services and agencies across Victoria so these services can continue to provide safe and efficient care to local communities.
Since establishing the RHIF in 2015, the Labor Government has funded more than 600 projects for regional health services - the largest investment ever dedicated to our rural and regional health services.
The Labor Government's $1.5 billion COVID Catch Up Plan is also helping deliver more surgery to Victorians, by recruiting and training more staff and delivering them the resources they need to deliver more surgery.
The Labor Government has made unprecedented investments in Victoria's health system - ensuring all Victorians have access to the care, treatment and support they need to stay happy, healthy and well.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"The new operating theatres will ensure Daylesford residents continue to have access to the best possible healthcare services, close to home."
"This multi-million-dollar operating suite redevelopment will support Daylesford Hospital get more people off waiting lists and into surgery sooner."
"Since launching the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund we've delivered hundreds of upgrades and expansions across regional Victoria, so everyone has access to the best possible care, close to home."
