Urgent Daylesford Hospital redevelopment real solution to fix health crisis

Liberal Party Victoria

The current facilities at Daylesford Hospital have not been upgraded for more than 20 years, and locals deserve better.

That’s why a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will put forward $75 million to redevelop the hospital to make urgent upgrades now and set it up for the future.

Daylesford Hospital’s facilities are outdated and no longer fit for purpose, and a significant upgrade is required in order to deliver what the community needs and deserves.

The redevelopment of Daylesford Hospital will include a new 18-bed acute ward for both medical and surgical admissions, increased space for dialysis, upgraded and expanded aged care, palliative care and respite, as well as improved access for those with disabilities.

The Liberals and Nationals will get to work on these desperately needed facilities by reprioritising funds available from shelving Labor’s $35 billion Cheltenham to Box Hill rail line.

In response to the Andrews Labor Government’s failure to provide any significant commitment to support its redevelopment, the Daylesford community formed the Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Appeal Committee in an effort to campaign for the future of their local health service.

Unlike Daniel Andrews, we have listened, and will give the Daylesford community what they need and deserve.

We must do everything we can to support dedicated health care workers to stay in the system, while also attracting more Victorians to consider a career in health.

This starts at the source, by training nurses and health workers in regional Victoria, and then providing them with the very best facilities to encourage them to stay there.

Leader of the Liberal Party, Matt Guy, said the Daylesford Hospital redevelopment formed part of the Liberals and Nationals’ plan to fix the health crisis.

“Popular towns such as Daylesford experienced a sharp increase in its population in such a short period of time, and the local health service must be redeveloped in order to keep up with a growing demand,” Mr Guy said.

“Our commitment to fix the health crisis is clear, and it starts by building new and upgrading existing hospitals right across the state.”

Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said the Daylesford community had banded together to advocate the need for the redevelopment.

“The people of Daylesford have sent a clear message, and we have listened,” Ms Crozier said.

“Regional Victorians in particular have endured years of substandard facilities as the Andrews Labor Government prioritises Melbourne-based infrastructure projects over their essential health needs.

“A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver $75 million to get started on this desperately needed redevelopment right away.”

Liberal Candidate for Macedon, Dominic Bonanno, said the announcement was a big win for his community.

“Daylesford Hospital hasn’t seen any significant investment in decades, and I’m proud to be part of Matt Guy’s team that will deliver this much needed redevelopment for the local community.”

/Public Release. View in full here.