The Andrews Labor Government is giving Victorian hospitals more of the latest medical equipment and essential infrastructure they need to continue providing world-class healthcare for all Victorians.
Acting Premier Jacinta Allan and Acting Minister for Health Lizzie Blandthorn today announced 23 health services across Victoria will share in $55 million for new equipment and upgrades, so our doctors and nurses can continue doing what they do best – saving lives.
As part of the latest round of the Labor Government’s Medical Equipment Replacement Program (MERT), hospitals will receive new equipment for a range of services – diagnostic tools like MRI machines, microscopes, digital X-Ray units and CT scanners as well as heart imaging equipment such as fluoroscopy units and SPECT-CT gamma cameras.
Monash Health is one of 19 health services sharing in more than $35 million through the MERT to purchase the latest medical equipment, with Casey Hospital receiving more than $2.3 million to purchase a new CT scanner X-Ray unit – boosting their diagnostic capacity so they can see more patients, more often.
With world-class equipment being delivered to services in every corner of Victoria, this program is ensuring patients can access the vital diagnostic procedures they need, close to home.
In addition, as part of the latest round of the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program, 18 health services across Victoria will share in more than $20 million to upgrade important infrastructure such as generators, chillers, emergency lighting, nurse call systems, air conditioning systems, patient lifts and alarm systems.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested more than $15 billion to build, upgrade and modernise our hospitals – with new equipment, new facilities, and entirely new hospitals.
But there’s more to do – we’ll upgrade and build hospitals across Victoria, deliver brand new life-saving equipment, recruit thousands more staff who will get their training for free, and continue to fight for all Victorians to get the free, quality healthcare they deserve.
As stated by Acting Premier Jacinta Allan
“We’re giving our hardworking doctors and nurses the equipment they need, so they can continue doing what they do best – saving lives.”
“While there is always work that needs to be done to improve our health system, fixing primary care must be the Commonwealth’s top priority – so every Australian can get the affordable healthcare they deserve.”
As stated by Acting Minister for Health Lizzie Blandthorn
“By investing in new equipment and infrastructure upgrades across Melbourne and regional Victoria we’re ensuring that all Victorians can access world-class health services, no matter where they live.”
“We’ll also invest more than $20 million to deliver upgrades at hospitals across Victoria – ensuring our doctors and nurses are caring for Victorians in modern and safe facilities.”
