By Aneeka Simonis
MORE than 25 per cent more economic investment has been funnelled into the multi-million upgrade of Casey Hospital, but patients will have to wait far longer than initially expected to make use of the facilities.
The State Government, accused of a funding shortfall, cited data to indicate their initial proposal would be out-of-date two years after completion, and that more needed to be done to meet “unprecedented” growth demands in the south-east.
In the lead-up to the 2014 election, the Andrews Government vowed to fund a $106 million expansion of the hospital – due to have started last year and been completed in 2018.
Works have stalled – and now the State Government has dressed up their delayed funding package by adding a further $28.61 million to the overall investment.
Their current projections will see the upgrade completed by the end of 2019.
Premier Andrews made the surprise funding announcement on Sunday 9 October, and said it was necessary to meet the demands of the fast growing south-east corridor.
“Our bigger, better Casey Hospital redevelopment will mean even more families in the south east can get the care and treatment they need, close to home,” Mr Andrews said.
Casey is home to the biggest baby boom in Victoria, with 86 babies born weekly. By 2035, it is expected to jump to 126 babies each week.
It’s said to be the state’s “biggest baby boom” area.
A media release by the State Government acknowledged details of the initial funding proposal, defending the changes and delay due to data findings which show Casey Hospital needed more beds to meet “unprecedented growth” demands.
It said latest data showed demand would exceed supply within two years after the initial upgrade was due to be completed.
Close to $135 million will now be invested in Casey Hospital.
It will help fund 160 new beds, four operating theatres, an intensive care unit and day surgery unit.
The hospital will also receive a new education and training facilities for medical, nursing and allied health students at Casey Hospital.
Shadow Minister for Health Mary Wooldridge urged to government to come clean with what she said was an initial “funding shortfall”.
“Daniel Andrews was always millions of dollars short on his funding commitment to deliver the Casey Hospital expansion, and is now hiding his cost blowout as part of a re-worked project,” she said.
“There are over 1000 people waiting for elective surgery at Casey Hospital, but Daniel Andrews has now had to admit that this project is a broken promise and is still years away from being completed.”
Construction is expected to start next year.
Member for Narre Warren South Judith Graley will lead a community advisory group to help shape the project and consult with the community.
