The hardworking doctors and nurses at Kerang District Health can look forward to an upgraded, modern workplace, with the Allan Labor Government delivering $3.5 million to complete vital upgrades.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the health service as two projects get underway - made possible with funding from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) and Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program (EIRP).
Awarded $3 million dollars in the eighth round of RHIF, the project will deliver two new Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit bays and replace ageing operating room equipment, including sterilising equipment, an ultrasonic unit, a plasma storage technology unit, tourniquet machine, endoscopes and patient monitors.
It will also enable the health service to upgrade its Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) - a specialised area responsible for the collection, decontamination, assembling, packing, sterilisation, storing and distribution of goods and equipment to patient care areas.
The upgraded CSSD will provide a modern, state-of-the-art facility to ensure there is less risk of procedures being cancelled or deferred, helping more locals get the treatment they need, sooner and closer to home.
A further $500,000 was awarded to Kerang District Health via the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program (EIRP) in 2022/23, enabling the replacement of mains water infrastructure and future proofing this critical piece of infrastructure.
These latest grants build on more than $182,000 previously delivered to Kerang District Health through the RHIF - including funding to plan for this CSSD upgrade and the construction of new meeting rooms.
With more than 675 projects funded across rural and regional health Victoria, the program is ensuring communities continue to be able to access high quality care, no matter where they live. Work delivering these projects will also support the creation of hundreds of jobs across the state.
Since establishing the RHIF in 2016, the Labor Government has delivered more than $790 million for regional health services - the largest investment ever dedicated to our rural and regional health services.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"New and upgraded facilities of vital infrastructure at Kerang District Health will help ensure more locals can access the medical care and treatment they need, closer to home."
"Through our flagship $790 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, we're doing more than ever to invest in and support local hospitals and health services - and the health of all Victorians no matter where they live."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"These upgrades will mean the community in Kerang can continue to receive the best localised care without having to travel far from home."
