21 Mar 2017 North Central Review (Kilmore), Melbourne (General News) PATIENTS at The Kilmore and District Hospital will get the high quality care they need sooner as a result of a major funding injection from the state government. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes attended the Kilmore hospital last week to announce that the hospital would receive a total of $480,603 through the first round of the governments new Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. The regional hospital infrastructure fund is a fantastic way to support our hardworking hospitals, doctors and nurses, Ms Symes said. And, the much needed equipment is going to make a world of difference to the staff and patients at Kilmore Hospital. Regional hospitals scrimp and save and are creative with every cent theyve got. Being able to give them this boost takes some pressure off their purse strings and allows them to do what they do best which is caring for the community. The Kilmore and District Hospital will receive $143,500 for replacement of the Caladenia Nursing Home nurse call and emergency communication response system and $337,103 for purchase of essential clinical equipment for the Maternity and Neonatal services. Hospital Chief Executive Sue Race told the North Central Review that the hospital is delighted by the announcement. The Kilmore and District Hospital welcomed a $480,603 funding grant made available through the Victorian governments Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, Ms Race said. I am extremely pleased that we have received this funding to invest in critical equipment for our maternity service and nursing home to help us care for our rapidly growing community. We are very grateful for this support that will enable our service to provide safer and higher quality care to our community. The number of births at Kilmore Hospital has more than doubled in the past five years to 300, and until now there has been limited investment in our clinical equipment to support this demand. The $337,103 equipment grant will allow midwifery and medical staff to offer the most up to date, safe and efficient care for mothers and their babies born at The Kilmore and District Hospital; which they acknowledge is paramount for our local community. Equipment to be purchased with the funding includes neonatal resuscitation and phototherapy equipment, a portable ultrasound machine which will enable bedside examinations during pregnancy, birthing beds and overhead lighting in the birth suite. The funding will also support the installation of a centralised Cardiotocography (CTG) monitoring system. Centralised CTG monitoring records the babys heartbeat and contractions during pregnancy and labor and allows pregnant women to be monitored wirelessly and be able to move freely during labor. MS Symes said that the funding is part of a $200 million fund which which will help country hospitals ensure all Victorians can access the high quality care and facilities they need, no matter where they live. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.