02 May 2024

MEDICAL FACILITIES UPGRADE FOR KERANG DISTRICT HEALTH

The Allan Labor Government is delivering important facility upgrades at Kerang District Health, ensuring more locals have access to the best healthcare, closer to home.

Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas has announced a $3 million boost to the health service via the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) with the grant set to deliver new sterilisation and operating room equipment.

The project will see upgrades to the Central Sterile Services Department, including the installation of a new water system and the replacement of vital cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising equipment.

The project will also deliver a new storage system for endoscopes, which are used to perform a range of important diagnostic procedures at Kerang District Health.

The upgrades will ensure there is less risk of procedures being cancelled and patients having to travel outside the region to access vital diagnostic services, as well as a safer and more efficient working environment for the health service’s dedicated doctors and nurses.

This funding builds on the Labor Government's previous investments at Kerang District Health, including $500,000 through the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program (EIRP) for a mains water infrastructure upgrade.

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.

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“The new state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at Kerang District Health will ensure that more locals can access vital diagnostic and surgical services they need, closer to home – taking pressure off larger regional hospitals.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas

"We are delivering important upgrades at Kerang District Health to ensure locals can access safe and reliable care without having to travel out of town – as well as supporting hardworking doctors and nurses so they can continue doing what they do best.”