- Published:
- Monday 30 April 2018
Ballarat families will get better, safer and faster healthcare in a bigger and brand new Ballarat Base Hospital, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 will include $461.6 million to completely rebuild and redevelop Ballarat Base Hospital, giving the city’s hardworking doctors and nurses the world-class facilities they need and deserve.
The Labor Government’s investment will completely revamp the Base Hospital, creating a new emergency department, a modernised acute mental health facility, an intensive care unit, a women and children’s hub, an expanded critical care ‘hot floor’ and at least an extra 100 inpatient beds.
Outdated operating theatres will be replaced and fitted out with the latest cutting-edge equipment and technology, while the critical care ‘hot floor’ will bring together operating theatres, procedure rooms, endoscopy suites, consulting rooms, and high dependency care – delivering an additional 4,000 surgeries every year.
As a large regional hospital, the Ballarat Base has experienced significant growth in demand in recent years and this is only expected to increase, with the service’s catchment population set to grow by about 20 per cent over the next decade.
Once complete, the upgraded hospital will have capacity to treat at least 18,000 more emergency patients and an extra 14,500 inpatients each year.
Ballarat Health Services is one of the region’s largest employers, and this project will grow even more local jobs. The redevelopment will create 1,384 construction jobs, and once the project is complete, up to 1,000 extra ongoing full time equivalent positions. The project is expected to be completed by 2026.
While the Liberals cut $1 billion from our health system and failed to plan for growth, we’re making the right investments to make sure every Victorian patient can get the care they need.
Our investment is in stark contrast to Malcolm Turnbull’s dud hospital’s funding deal, which would short-change Victorians by $2.1 billion in five years. That would mean $53.5 million less for Ballarat Health Services, which is equivalent to 8,613 elective surgeries, 428 nurses or 179 doctors.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“A brand-new Ballarat Base Hospital will give local families the very best health care, close to home.”
“As a major regional hospital, Ballarat Base does an incredible job. This massive redevelopment will mean locals will get the best care, from the best professionals, in the best facilities.”
Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
"Our local nurses and doctors at Ballarat Health Services do a stellar job, and with this investment they’ll get the facilities they need to keep doing what they do best – saving lives.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“Ballarat is growing, and this upgrade is about meeting that increased demand. This redevelopment will make sure that families get the range of services they need – right here, close to home.”