- Minister for Health
The Andrews Labor Government is backing Warrnambool’s hard-working nurses and midwives to grow their careers.
Nurses and midwives care for us when we’re at our most vulnerable, so it’s essential we support them to learn new skills and develop.
The Labor Government’s $50 million Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Development Fund is creating more opportunities to retain, recruit and train more nurses and midwives in Victoria. The Fund includes $10 million dedicated for rural and regional workforces, including $75,000 for graduate nurse positions at Warrnambool Base Hospital.
The Labor Government’s investment will mean nurses who begin their graduate programs in February will be able to grow and become highly-skilled nurses.
Earlier this year, the Labor Government introduced improved nurse and midwife to patient ratios, paving the way for 600 new nurses to be employed in Victorian public hospitals. As a result of these improved ratios, Warrnambool Base Hospital has employed an additional eight nurses and midwives.
The Government is committed to making further improvements to nurse and midwife to patient ratios, resulting in a further 500 nurses and midwife positions – 1,100 in total.
Ms Mikakos visited the Warrnambool Base Hospital to deliver on her promise to see for herself the local facilities and meet with hard-working nurses, doctors and other health workers and patients to learn more about the challenges they face – and hear about what matters to them.
The Government has provided South-West Healthcare with the funding it needs to get the planning right for future projects – and record funding to back nurses and doctors to do what they do best. It was Labor who funded the first stage of the upgrade of Warrnambool Base Hospital in 2009.
Ms Mikakos will also visit nearby rural health services and open local ambulance stations during her visit.
As stated by Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos
“We’re backing Warrnambool’s hard-working hospital staff with the funding and training they need.”
“Our nurses and midwives care for us when we need it most, so it’s essential we give them all the support they deserve to be the best they can be.”
“This visit is an important step in helping Warrnambool Base Hospital and its staff plan for the future. I’m here to listen and learn, so we can do what’s necessary to ensure families get the very best care, closer to home.”
