The Daylesford Hospital has been raised in State Parliament by Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell calling for funding to upgrade the hospital to modern standards.
There is community concern that the Daylesford Hospital hasn’t been upgraded for over 20 years and is in need of refurbishing and improvements.
The 160 year old hospital is part of Central Highlands Rural Health. Located on hospital street, it is in a precinct that includes the community health services and the Springs Medical Clinic. The hospital provides a range of medical, nursing, allied health, surgical and aged care services for the local community.
Ms Lovell claimed the 2024-25 Victorian Budget contains $6.4 billion that has been set aside for future promises but not allocated for a specific purpose.
She called on the Minister for Health to commit at least $75 million from the Budget’s “unallocated slush fund” to the redevelopment of Daylesford Hospital.
The Liberal Party committed to invest $75 million to redevelop Daylesford Hospital if elected to Government at the last election.
Prior to the election Labor committed $5 million for theatre upgrades and maintenance, but has made no further commitments since. Work on theatre upgrades commenced in May last year.
The community raised $100,000 themselves to pay for a Masterplan for the hospital’s redevelopment. The plan includes a new 18-bed acute ward for both medical and surgical admissions, increased space for dialysis, upgraded and expanded aged care, palliative care and respite, as well as improved access for those with disabilities.
The Masterplan has wide community support and but the State Government has not allocated any funds to it in the 2024-25 Victorian Budget.
Ms Lovell said, “The 24-25 Victorian Budget contains $6.4 billion that has been set aside for future promises but not allocated for a specific purpose. I urge the Minister for Health to allocate at least $75 million of this money to the redevelopment of the Daylesford Hospital.”
