The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring Colac families get the best healthcare, with a $221,500 investment in new heart monitoring equipment at Colac Area Health.
Minister for Health Infrastucture Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Urgent Care Centre of Colac Area Health today to see the positive impact of equipment upgrades on staff and patients.
Funded through the Labor Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), the project saw the replacement of outdated cardiac monitors with the latest, state-of-the-art technology.
The 13 new cardiac monitors, two central cardiac monitoring screens and two electrocardiogaph strip printers ensure Colac Area Health can continue to provide quality heart monitoring services to the community, meaning patients don’t need to travel outside of the region to access the services they need and deserve.
This investment builds on more than $7.5 million funding provided to Colac Area Health through the RHIF for projects including a new short stay unit, new beds and upgraded Central Sterile Services Department.
Now worth $790 million thanks to a $300 million boost from the 2022-23 State Budget, the RHIF provides funding to rural and regional health services and agencies across Victoria so these services can continue to provide safe and efficient care to local communities.
It is the largest program of its type in Victoria having funded more than 630 projects since 2016.
RHIF delivers a variety of projects across regional Victoria including theatre refurbishments, new waiting rooms and hospital beds, accessible paths and ramps, additional consulting rooms, expansion projects and equipment upgrades.
The latest round of the RHIF has now opened with more than 120 health services and agencies eligible to apply for funding for projects that support the continued delivery of world-class healthcare to local communities.
Submissions close on 11 September 2023.
More information on grant program guidelines or how to apply can be found by visiting vhba.vic.gov.au/health/regional-facilities/regional-health-infrastructure-fund.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“The dedicated staff at Colac Area Health do great work caring for their community and through initiatives like our Regional Health Infrastructure Fund we’re supporting them to continue doing what they do best – save lives.”
“This new heart monitoring equipment will mean more people across Victoria’s west will be able to get the care they need, close to home.”
Quote attributable for Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“These new state-of-the-art machines are ensuring Colac residents will continue to receive the best possible heart care – close to home.”
