21 Apr 2017 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) by Jeff Zeuschner Premier confirms funding for redevelopment of our hospital VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews will today deliver $l5.2 million in state funds to redevelop Wangarattas public hospital. In what will be a triumphant homecoming, the former Wangaratta resident and Galen College graduate will make the highly anticipated announcement flanked by local residents at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW). Premier Andrews told the Wangaratta Chronicle yesterday that the funding provided through the Labor Governments new $200m Regional Health Infrastructure Fund will help ensure more Wangaratta and district patients get the critical care they need closer to home. The funding boost will see a new 12bed critical care unit built, increasing the capacity of the current unit by an extra four beds. Premier Andrews said the additional beds will support more patients in need of specialist intensive care and life support. He said the project will also see the expansion of the emergency department and the relocation of the oncology unit, alongside other works including the construction of a new medical records building. The Labor Governments investment in Northeast Health Wangaratta will mean better care for patients, while also giving our amazing doctors, nurses and other health professionals the modern facilities they need, Premier Andrews said. Planning works are to commence straight away, with construction expected to be completed in mid-2020. The funding delivers the first of a twostaged redevelopment costing $21m. The works seek to meet the increasing needs of the 90,000 people within the catchment which NHWs dedicated 1200 strong workforce services. Continued page 2 EDITORIAL PAGE 8 $15.2m to redevelop our public hospital From page 1 Just like everyone whos from Wangaratta, this hospital has been a big part of my life, Premier Andrews told the Chronicle. It was there for me as I grew up and it was there for my dad as he battled cancer. Im proud to say, by providing critical care close to home, this expansion will make a real difference for seriously ill patients and their families. It doesnt matter where you live. Every Victorian should be able to rely on first-class care. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria), who will join Premier Andrews for todays announcement, said she was proud to have been able to work closely with NHW and the Labor State Government to deliver the vital redevelopment of health services which are a key institution in the electorate. This is a great outcome not just for Wangaratta, but all the other neighbouring hospitals and towns that rely on NHW, she said. We have growing and aging communities in the North East and that is putting additional strain on the hospital. Data released by Health Minister Jill Hennessy in early February this year reflected the unprecedented heatlh care demands which NHW is dealing with. The data for October to December 2016 showed NHWs emergency department had seen 6203 patients up from 5949 a year earlier. Elective surgery patients were also up. NHW had, however, surpassed the state average in performance across a range of key areas, delivering quality care to patients. NHW this financial year received $90.52 million in funding from the Labor Government, which was $6.7 million or eight per cent -up on the previous financial year. Caption Text: BEARER OF GOOD NEWS: Premier Daniel Andrews, pictured on a previous visit to Wangaratta, will announce $15.2m for the public hospital redevelopment today. PHOTO: Edited image Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence