Warragul’s hospital will undergo a $9.3 million upgrade to meet growing demand.
The State Government-funded works will include the development of a $3.4 million eight-bed short-stay unit, and a third operating theatre costed at $6 million.
The short-stay unit will service those who enter through the hospital’s emergency department but require a hospital stay of less than 24 hours, while the additional theatre will meet increasing demand for elective and emergency surgeries.
The funding follows the State Coalition’s pledge to fund a new West Gippsland Hospital, estimated at $400 million, in Drouin if elected into government next year.
Member for Narracan, Gary Blackwood, welcomed the State Government’s announcement but said the upgrades must not be in replacement of the new hospital.
“I am pleased the Andrews Government have heeded my call for the immediate needs of the hospital to be supported, but they must commit to the new hospital on the greenfield site if they are serious about the health and wellbeing of our community into the future,” Mr Blackwood said.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy did not say a new Labor-funded hospital was off the cards.
“While we plan for the future at Warragul, we are making the critical upgrades needed now to existing facilities so doctors and nursing can continue delivering high quality, safer care and meet growing demand,” Ms Hennessy said.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, also pointed at future investment.
“Doctors and nurses at Warragul do a remarkable job. We’re supporting them to do their job saving lives and keeping locals healthy by building a modern new operating theatre and expanding emergency capacity, while the work continues on meeting the area’s needs into the future,” Ms Shing said.
