The Allan Labor Government is helping Goulburn Valley Health retain and attract new medical staff in Shepparton, with new, modern and comfortable accommodation close to the hospital, well underway.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne today visited the site to see how construction is progressing on the new three-storey staff accommodation complex - supported by a $10.2 million grant from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).
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.
Once the keys are handed over, staff will benefit from 18 self-contained units, 15 single room flats and three double flats, and a direct and secure connection to the hospital will improve safety for staff on call after hours.
The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority, alongside builder Hansen Yuncken.
The new staff accommodation complex comes on top of the recent Labor Government investment, with the delivery of a $229.3 million redevelopment of Shepparton Hospital - including a five-storey inpatient unit with 64 inpatient beds, 10 intensive care beds, four new operating theatres and a new kitchen.
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
"We know that location makes it difficult for regional health services like Goulburn Valley Health to retain and attract new staff - that's why this project is critical to ensuring we can keep delivering world-class care for locals."
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Regional Victorians deserve access to faster, better health care no matter where they live, and by making it easier for health services like Goulburn Valley Health to build a strong workforce, we can make sure that happens."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"RHIF is not only making a difference to local patients and our dedicated health workforce, it also continues to support local construction jobs, both here in Shepparton and right across regional Victoria."
