Media Release: NEW HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT FOR WODONGA

FROM THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH

DATE: Wednesday, March 9, 2005

NEW HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT FOR WODONGA

The Wodonga Regional Health Service will receive $170,000 to help it buy new medical equipment as part of a Bracks Government program, the Health Minister, Bronwyn Pike announced today.

Visiting Wodonga Hospital to announce the funding, Ms Pike said it was part of a $17 million package for public hospitals around the State to buy much-needed medical equipment such as patient monitoring and diagnostic devices.

“The Bracks Government’s is investing in hospitals across the State to ensure all Victorians get the best health care when they need it, where they need it,” Ms Pike said.

Wodonga Regional Health Service will use the funding towards new ophthalmological equipment.

Ms Pike said this year’s grants included ‘big-ticket’ pieces of equipment that would improve the quality of care and help meet the growth in patient demand.

“The Bracks Government has a proud record of strengthening and expanding provincial Victoria’s hospital system to ensure it remains vibrant and healthy,” Ms Pike said

“To continue this expansion, Victorian hospitals need to stay abreast of developments in medical science and technology to ensure that they continue to provide the best possible care to patients.

“Over the last five years, we’ve provided $26 million to rural hospitals alone, to purchase the latest equipment to take advantage of advances in medical technology, and to allow them to be more efficient and cater for greater patient demand.

“This latest Bracks Government grant will enable Wodonga Regional Health Service to continue to do this.”

Since coming to office, the Bracks Government has increased yearly funding to country hospitals by $380 million or more than 50 per cent. Over the last five years in country Victoria, the Government has also:
· Provided $314 million to build or upgrade hospitals.
· Provided $26 million to upgrade equipment.
· Employed at more than 1500 extra nurses.
· Treated more patients- with more than 377,000 rural hospital admissions last financial year, 43,135 more people than in 1999/2000.

“While the Liberals are hell-bent on talking down country health, the Bracks Government will continue to invest and give country Victoria more funding, more choice, more say,” Ms Pike said.