25 Jul 2018 Benalla Ensign, Benalla VIC (General News) Benalla Hospital will share in record funding to give more patients faster access to the worldclass treatment and care they deserve, as part of a massive boost to Victorias health care. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes recently announced the Victorian Government is investing $21.8 million at Benalla and District Memorial Hospital. Thats $709 000 more than the previous 12 months a 3.4 per cent increase. The funding for the Benalla hospital has increased by $2.39 million, or 12.3 per cent, since 2014-15, the last year the Liberal Nationals were in power. Its all part of the Labor Governments 2018-19 budget allocations for Victorian hospitals a record $11.5 billion investment. It means hospitals are set to share in 10 per cent more funding than the previous 12 months and 31 per cent more than when the Liberal Nationals were in Government. The Andrews Labor Government is giving our hospitals the funding they need, Ms Symes said. Were delivering record funding to ensure Benalla and our other hospitals can treat more patients faster and closer to home. Our doctors, nurses, allied and other healthcare workers dedicate themselves each day to care for us when we need it. Were helping them by opening more beds to reduce patient waiting times for surgery and emergency care. The record funding boost aims to ensure Victorias hospitals can provide the very best treatment and care for the 1.9 million patients expected to be admitted to hospital and the 1.8 million Victorians who will access emergency departments in the coming 12 months. In total, the Labor Government is investing $19.4 billion in Victorias health system, including ambulance services, mental health and drug and alcohol services, aged care, community health and other services. The funding boost will open more beds, offer better specialist care and give families even greater access to a wide range of services