Media Release: $2.1 MILLION EQUIPMENT BOOST FOR MONASH MEDICAL CENTRE

FROM THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH

DATE: Monday, January 21, 2008

$2.1 MILLION EQUIPMENT BOOST FOR MONASH MEDICAL CENTRE

Key patient care and medical equipment at Monash Medical Centre will be updated thanks to a $2.159 million Brumby Government funding boost.

Visiting the hospital to announce the equipment grants, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the money would be used to replace equipment which was now becoming outdated.

Mr Andrews said the MMC funding was part of a $3.7 million allocation to Southern Health.

He said the MMC funding would provide 259 new high-tech beds, which will lead to improvements in patient comfort. The hospital will also buy three new patient hoists, six physiological monitors, an ECG telemetry system, a 24-hour monitor system, 11 defibrillators and other equipment.

“This Brumby Government funding will provide the Monash Medical Centre and Dandenong Hospital with the most modern technology now available, and will help ensure that Victorian hospitals stay at the forefront of the introduction of new technology,” Mr Andrews said.

“It is part of $225 million over four years announced in the last State Budget to replace medical equipment throughout the hospitals and to help upgrade buildings and engineering infrastructure.

“Our hospitals need to stay abreast of developments and technology to ensure they continue to provide the best possible care to patients.

“This funding enables our hospitals to take advantage of advances in technology and buy the most up-to-date systems to improve patient treatment and diagnosis.

“The Brumby Government is continuing with its significant investment in rebuilding and improving hospitals.”

Mr Andrews said the equipment grants come on top of record funding for Southern Health which received $576.7 million in 2007/08, $30.9 million more than in 06/07 and more than double since 1999.