The Allan Labor Government is delivering an important upgrade to Kyabram District Health Service (KDHS), investing in new theatre equipment to help deliver more surgeries to locals sooner.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today visited KDHS to announce the health service has been awarded more than $4.5 million as part of the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) towards upgrades to its existing operating theatre and procedure room.
The funding will see an expanded sterile services room and redeveloped central sterile services department to help create more space in the health service's procedure room which is currently used for storage - making the management of surgical equipment safer and more efficient by improving workflow.
Currently using one operating theatre, the hardworking medical team delivers an average of 119 cases per month, including around 15 major orthopaedic cases (hip and knee).
An increase in sterile storage size will allow the procedure room to be properly utilised, for more surgical and endoscopy procedures.
KDHS is a critical surgical resource for the local community providing urology, endoscopy, orthopaedic, general medical, dental, gynaecology and ophthalmology services closer to home.
The Labor Government has now provided more than $8.3 million to KDHS through RHIF, helping to deliver improvements to the Sheridan Aged Care facility and fire system, as well as planning for the construction, refurbishment, and expansion of the primary health building.
Across Victoria, the latest round of RHIF grants is supporting rural and regional hospitals, community health services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to ensure they can continue to provide safe and efficient care to local communities.
With 45 projects across 39 rural and regional health services, the program is ensuring communities continue to have access to high-quality care, no matter where they live - with the delivery of these projects also supporting hundreds of jobs across the state.
Established by the Labor Government in 2016 and overseen by the Victorian Health Building Authority, the RHIF program is now worth $790 million with more than 675 projects funded for regional health services - the largest investment ever dedicated grants program in Victoria's history.
For more information vhba.vic.gov.au/health/regional-facilities/regional-health-infrastructure-fund.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
"These important infrastructure upgrades will ensure Kyabram locals and surrounding communities can access the care they need, closer to home."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"The new equipment at Kyabram District Health Service will ensure staff have the resources they need to deliver more surgeries, driving down local waitlists and helping people get back on their feet sooner."
