The Allan Labor Government continues to deliver vital health upgrades throughout regional Victorians ensuring more people can get the care they need, closer to home.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne today visited Echuca Regional Health, where a $10.2 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) grant is supporting the health service deliver significant upgrades to its dental facilities, as well as a new, specialist space for the cleaning of surgical tools and other medical equipment.
For Echuca residents receiving dental care at the hospital, the refurbished Oral Hygiene unit will improve patient privacy during appointments, and also provide a more modern and efficient working environment for staff.
Behind the scenes, by establishing a fit-for-purpose space where medical and surgical equipment will be sterilised and re-used on site, the likelihood of surgeries or procedures being cancelled unexpectedly will be reduced - it will also mean upgrades to existing sterilising systems at the hospital.
These two facilities will be co-located on the top floor of the refurbished Lumeah building, and will be delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, alongside BowdenCorp, who has been appointed to deliver the project.
This builds on the more than $15 million in RHIF grants Echuca Regional Health has received from the Labor Government to deliver upgrades to its operating theatres, air conditioning, furniture and other areas to support quality health care.
Projects like these play a vital role in ensuring that regional health services can attract and retain, a highly skilled local workforce - with construction also supporting the creation of hundreds of jobs statewide.
Since establishing the RHIF in 2016, the Labor Government has funded more than 675 projects for regional health services - the largest program of its type in Victoria.
Now worth a total of $790 million, RHIF helps to deliver projects including theatre refurbishments, new waiting rooms and hospital beds, accessible paths and ramps, additional consulting rooms, expansion projects and equipment upgrades.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne
"Regional health services, like Echuca Regional Health, do an outstanding job, that's why RHIF is so important as it helps them continue doing what they do best - supporting the health and wellbeing of their communities."
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Once complete, these new and modern facilities at Echuca Regional Health will ensure more locals can access the care they need sooner, without needing to travel to larger, nearby towns or into Melbourne."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"These upgrades at Echuca Regional Health will mean that locals can access the dental care and surgery they need, faster and closer to home."
