Liberals and Nationals have have made a commitment to put forward $75 million to redevelop the hospital to make urgent upgrades now and set it up for the future if they are elected.
The current facilities at Daylesford Hospital have not been upgraded for more than 20 years.
The Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Committee are pleased that the Liberal Party has shown such a demonstration to fix the statewide health crisis and commit to a $75M upgrade of the Daylesford Hospital.
On behalf of the Committee Kathleen Murray, said “Matthew Guy and his team have listened to our community’s pleas for a desperately needed upgrade.”
“Small rural towns and the health of their communities really matter and the pledge from the Liberal Party to deliver $75M to our area if elected shows they see fixing the health crisis as a number one priority for ALL Victorians.”
“Locals here deserve no less and this announcement will provide us with local access to modern health care and give us a level playing field.”
“Our local member, who is also the Minister for Health, is well aware of her constituents’ calls for a desperately needed upgrade. Minister Thomas has less than 11 weeks to do the right thing by her constituents. Our campaign continues to call on Mary-Anne Thomas to deliver and match the $75M announcement by the Liberal Party.”
Daylesford Hospital’s facilities are outdated and no longer fit for purpose. A significant upgrade is required in order to deliver what the community needs and deserves.
The redevelopment of Daylesford Hospital will include 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 Liberals and Nationals will get to work on these desperately needed facilities by reprioritising funds available from shelving Labor’s $35 billion Cheltenham to Box Hill rail line.
In response to the Andrews Labor Government’s failure to provide any significant commitment to support its redevelopment, the Daylesford community formed the Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Appeal Committee in an effort to campaign for the future of their local health service.
“Unlike Daniel Andrews, we have listened, and will give the Daylesford community what they need and deserve,” said a spokesperson for the Liberals. “We must do everything we can to support dedicated health care workers to stay in the system, while also attracting more Victorians to consider a career in health.
This starts at the source, by training nurses and health workers in regional Victoria, and then providing them with the very best facilities to encourage them to stay there.”
Lesley Hewitt, who is the committee chair of the Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Community Campaign Committee and a Hepburn Shire councillor, described today’s announcement as “fabulous”.
“The community is right behind this; the hospital has been neglected for 20 years and we’re so grateful and pleased.”
Leader of the Liberal Party, Matt Guy, said the Daylesford Hospital redevelopment formed part of the Liberals’ and Nationals’ plan to fix the health crisis.
“Popular towns such as Daylesford experienced a sharp increase in its population in such a short period of time, and the local health service must be redeveloped in order to keep up with a growing demand,” Mr Guy said.
“Our commitment to fix the health crisis is clear, and it starts by building new and upgrading existing hospitals right across the state.”
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said the Daylesford community had banded together to advocate the need for the redevelopment.
“The people of Daylesford have sent a clear message, and we have listened,” Ms Crozier said.
“Regional Victorians in particular have endured years of substandard facilities as the Andrews Labor Government prioritises Melbourne-based infrastructure projects over their essential health needs.
“A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver $75 million to get started on this desperately needed redevelopment right away.”
Liberal Candidate for Macedon, Dominic Bonanno, said the announcement was a big win for his community.
“Daylesford Hospital hasn’t seen any significant investment in decades, and I’m proud to be part of Matt Guy’s team that will deliver this much needed redevelopment for the local community.”
In response Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said it was an “empty” pre-election promise by the Coalition.
“This announcement today has no start date, no finish date, and most importantly no plan for staffing,” Ms Thomas said.
“Right now our health system is facing unprecedented challenges and those challenges are a result of the staff availability.”
Ms Thomas rejected suggestions the government was becoming complacent in the long-held Labor seat.
The Victorian Government has committed $4.5 million to upgrading the operating theatres at the hospital. The work has not commenced but it is funded and will commence as soon as possible.
