State Minister for Health, Martin Foley, visited Daylesford Hospital last week and viewed the new hospital plan and designs for the $4.5 million upgrade of the Hospital’s operating theatres. Construction work on the theatres is expected to begin in late 2022.
The project includes upgrades to theatres, the patient waiting area, sterile stock storage area, recovery and admission areas and change rooms. The project will also replace ageing patient monitoring medical equipment, along with equipment in the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) and refurbish the CSSD processing area.
The project is funded through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).
Once the upgrade is complete in the second half of 2023, the it is expected to provide substantial relief to local surgical waiting lists.
In a statement, Minister Foley said, “We’re ensuring people in the Central Highlands have access to the healthcare services they need, closer to home. We’re doing more than ever to invest and support local hospitals and health services – and the health of all Victorians no matter where they live.”
This funding builds on more than $900,000 invested in DaylesfordHospital through the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program for new heating hot water boilers and a new reverse osmosis water plant. A further $544,500 from the program has been provided to upgrade power to the hospital site.
The RHIF provides government funding to rural and regional health services and agencies across Victoria so these services can continue to provide safe and efficient care to local communities.
A $300 million injection in the Victorian Budget 2022-23 has brought the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund to $790 million making it the largest program of its type in Victoria. Funding has been provided for more than 480 projects since 2016.
