Building the best healthcare in central victoria

Families in Central Victoria will be able to count on the quality care they need, when they need it, closer to home under a re-elected Andrews Labor Government, with a boost to the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).

When your kid gets sick or there’s an emergency, it’s not too much to ask that there is good healthcare nearby so you don’t have to drive to the closest major town or even Melbourne just to get the treatment you need.

That’s why the Andrews Labor Government established the landmark $250 million RHIF – the largest fund of its kind in Victorian history. From new operating theatres for more life-saving surgeries to quality facilities for staff, the RHIF has changed the face of healthcare in our regional centres and rural towns.

The Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) has already delivered almost $14 million for local health services.

It was Labor that delivered $9.7 million for Cobaw Community Health’s new Community Access Hub in Kyneton and $400,000 for Kyneton District Health Service for an upgrade to their medical equipment and a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver a $100 million major upgrade to Maryborough Hospital.

Across Central Victoria the RHIF has funded $2.83 million for a major redevelopment of Hepburn Health’s Creswick Nursing Home, a new outdoor area for Maldon Hospital, a community drop in centre and additional consultation rooms for Bendigo Community Health, a new vehicle and essential equipment for Castlemaine Health and upgrades to urgent care at Lockington and District Bush Nursing Centre.

It’s just some of the 283 projects all over Victoria funded through the RHIF, part of our promise to make sure Victorians have a health service they can count on, when they need it most.

We’ve repaired the Liberals’ billion dollar cuts to health, ended the ambulance crisis and backed our doctors and nurses by building them the state-of-the-art hospitals they need to do what they do best – but there’s more to do.

Labor will provide a $100 million boost to the RHIF, so even more health services can build new facilities or complete the upgrades they need.

It means better care for patients, peace of mind for families and more jobs for local construction workers across Central Victoria.

We’re growing healthcare in rural and regional Victoria, delivering 500,000 more specialist medical appointments in regional communities over four years – including 27,000 in Bendigo – so patients don’t have to spend hours away from loved ones to get the care they need.

The Liberals cut health every chance they get, and leave rural and regional healthcare in ruins. Only Labor will stand with regional and rural Victorian patients and staff – and ensure that every Victorian gets the best care, no matter where they live.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Regional Health Infrastructure Fund has already delivered the $9.7 million needed to build a new hub for Cobaw Community Health in Kyneton, a major redevelopment for Hepburn Health – Creswick Nursing Home and new, state-of-the-art equipment for Kyneton Hospital to make sure more patients get the safe, high quality care they need, closer to home."

"The former Liberal Government cut $1 billion from health and went to war with our paramedics. It’s only Labor that supports our health workers and is delivering the healthcare that regional and rural communities need."