The Andrews Labor Government is providing hospitals with extra funding to ensure Victorians can get the care they need when they need it.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today announced the 2015-16 budget allocations for Victorian hospitals, including:

• $52.1 million for Bairnsdale Regional Health Service – $2.3 million more than last year’s State Budget
• $35.7 million for Bass Coast Health – $1 million more than last year’s State Budget.
• $57.9 million for Central Gippsland Health Service – $926,000 more than last year’s State Budget.
• $21.8 million for Gippsland Southern Health Service – $498,000 more than last year’s State Budget.
• $169.1 million for Latrobe Regional Hospital – $5.2 million more than last year’s State Budget.
• $2.2 million for Omeo District Health – $66,000 more than in last year’s State Budget.
• $7.5 million for Orbost Regional Health – $217,000 more than last year’s State Budget.
• $5.8 million for South Gippsland Hospital – $160,000 more than last year’s State Budget.
• $62.7 million for West Gippsland Healthcare Group – $3.4 million more than last year’s State Budget.
• $6.8 million for Yarram and District Health Service – $199,000 more than last year’s State Budget.

In 2015-16, the Andrews Labor Government is spending a total of $15.85 billion across the entire health system; in hospitals, ambulance services, mental health and drugs services, aged care, community health and public health services.

This is an increase of six per cent on 2014-15.

Victorian hospitals alone will share in $9.4 billion, which is $451.8 million (5 per cent) more than was provided in 2014-15.

This additional funding will support health services to meet the increasing demands of a growing and ageing population, expand and improve services and care, and reduce waiting times.

The Government’s extra investment in hospitals will enable an additional 60,000 patients to be admitted to Victorian hospitals, and an extra 40,000 patients to be treated in emergency departments, each year.

The Government has also invested more than $560 million to build new hospitals, expand and redevelop health and ambulance facilities, and purchase and upgrade equipment.

In addition, the Government has provided $200 million for a Hospital Beds Rescue Fund to open beds and points of care at hospitals across Victoria. This will enable hospitals to treat more patients sooner and reduce waiting times for elective surgery and emergency care.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy

“We are providing extra funding to hospitals; we are building and expanding health services; and we are improving care in our communities. We are putting patients first.”

“Not only are we investing more in health than the previous Liberal Government, we are also making important reforms so that our health system improves and Victorians can get the care they need, when they need it.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing MP

“The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with rebuilding the health system so that Gippslanders can get the support and treatment they need and deserve.”

“The doctors, nurses and staff across Gippsland’s health services provide invaluable service and care to the community. I’m proud to be part of a government that is investing in our health system which means our workers can provide even better care for patients all over the region.”