Incredible $290M more for Wonthaggi hospital if Labor wins

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government would redevelop and expand the Wonthaggi Hospital to the tune of another $290 million, a promise that was made this week even before the $115 million first stage of the project has been completed.

The Premier Daniel Andrews was in Wonthaggi today, Thursday, September 15 to make the promise, a clear sign that health and the holding the marginal seat of Bass are uppermost in Mr Andrews’ mind.

But as good as the news is for Wonthaggi it prompted a quick response from those looking for similar funding to start building a new hospital between Warragul and Drouin.

From ‘Build the West Gippsland Hospital’ on the Sentinel-Times Facebook page: "Great news for Wonthaggi. Hopefully we have an announcement in West Gippsland as well.

Others hoped the hospital would be able to attract the staff to run it."

At the same time as the Premier promised funding for Wonthaggi, he also promised “a boost our ambulance service with more paramedics and new specialised paramedic roles”.

The Premier issued the following statement:

No Victorian wants to visit their local hospital. But they want to know if they need healthcare, it has state-of-the-art facilities – and the best nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and doctors on hand to deliver the highest quality care.

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will do what matters, investing up to $290 million for a major redevelopment of the Wonthaggi Hospital that delivers extra beds, a new birthing complex and a new outpatient clinic.

Population is growing on the Bass Coast – so we’ll make sure the hospital grows to meet the needs of local families.

We’ve already delivered the first stage of work at Wonthaggi Hospital, investing $115 million to expand the hospital and upgrade its emergency department to treat an additional 26,000 emergency patients every year.

Now a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver the second stage of works, costed at between $250 to $290 million.

We’ll build two new wards, boosting the capacity to treat sick and injured patients by up to 64 beds. Mums-to-be on the Bass Coast will benefit from a new labour and delivery complex with three birthing suites, supporting women with facilities to meet their childbirth needs.

We’ll also deliver a new outpatient clinic with around 25 treatment spaces. This will mean patients needing dialysis, chemotherapy and attending specialist appointments will be able to get the care they need closer to home, eliminating the need for many patients to travel to Latrobe Regional Hospital or Melbourne.

This investment will complete the medical imaging unit begun in the first stage of works, refurbish allied health treatment spaces, administration buildings and training areas, and deliver extra car parking for staff, patients and visitors.

It’s expected 750 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project, boosting employment opportunities for Bass Coast locals.

Labor has invested more than $12 billion in health infrastructure, building the facilities Victorians need. But world-class healthcare is about more than bricks and mortar – so we’re doing what matters by investing in our healthcare workforce, too.

We’ve listened to our paramedics about how we can deliver better care across the health system. And in an Australian first, we will create the new position of Paramedic Practitioners in our ambulance service, ensuring sick and injured Victorians can receive the treatment they need – faster.

Paramedics regularly transfer patients with serious, but not life-threatening conditions to hospitals. With advanced clinical training, the new Paramedic Practitioners will be able to assess, diagnose patients and treat in the field, make clinical decisions and take pressure off our busy emergency departments.

Paramedic Practitioners can provide urgent care to patients who need it and eliminate the need for a trip to the hospital for many patients.

This is an innovative new role in Australia – the scope of practice for Paramedic Practitioners will be finalised together with paramedics, doctors, health services and unions.

But in the UK, Paramedic Practitioners attend complex maternity call-outs, can dispense more medications than paramedics and come equipped with advanced medical equipment.

We will begin the rollout in rural and regional areas, where Paramedic Practitioners will take on an even more innovative role that goes beyond emergency response – delivering essential care in their communities.

A re-elected Labor Government will invest $20 million to establish the Paramedic Practitioner role with an agreed model of care that can strengthen our ambulance service, while easing pressure on our busy hospitals at the same time.

We’ll have at least 25 Paramedic Practitioners trained and on the road by 2026 – and studying to become a Paramedic Practitioner will be absolutely free, with government provided scholarships.

Since coming to government, we’ve recruited 22,000 extra healthcare workers. We’re delivering a $270 million healthcare workforce package to deliver free degrees, training and upskilling for the next generation of nurses and midwives.

Together with our Pandemic Repair Plan announced earlier this year, we’re training and recruiting an extra 24,000 healthcare workers into our workforce. We have also invested more than $8 billion in our ambulance service and hired almost 2,200 paramedics.

The Liberals waged war on our nurses and paramedics – they can’t be trusted to deliver healthcare.

Labor is doing what matters – delivering the hospitals, the healthcare and the workforce Victoria needs.

As pleased as local people have been to hear of the promise of additional funding, several have asked where the staff for Wonthaggi will come from, and in general terms, Mr Andrews said there would be a special effort to attract and train more health staff.

Premier Daniel Andrews said:

“We know that to get the very best healthcare, you don’t just need world-class hospitals – you need world-class staff, too.”

“That’s why we have a plan not just to build state-of-the-art facilities, like redeveloping Wonthaggi Hospital, we have a plan to recruit, train and retain the doctors, nurses and ambos our health system needs.”

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said:

“We know what happens when Liberals are in government – they cut health funding, close hospitals and go to war with our hardworking healthcare workforce.”

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale was delighted with the commitment to the Wonthaggi hospital:

“I was so proud to be able to deliver the first stage of the Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment – and the next stage will deliver more beds, a new birthing complex and a new outpatient clinic so that our local community gets the healthcare we deserve.”