EAST Grampians Health Service will receive an extra $619,000 in funding this financial year.

Chief executive Nick Bush said the State Government support came as a surprise, but was very welcome.

"This is a very pleasant surprise, it's great," he said.

"We are delighted to have this increase in funding and it shows that the State Government regards East Grampians as a critical health service."

Mr Bush said the funding injection reflected the efforts of staff.

"It is a ringing endorsement of the good medical and nursing staff we have and the compassion clinical staff provide to patients."

Mr Bush said the Department of Health wants the EGHS to increase the number of theatre procedures it conducts this financial year due to increasing demand.

He said a growing population has increased the need, not only locally in the Grampians, but also the Ballarat region.

"This means we will be able to treat another 120 patients more than last financial year," he said.

East Grampians Health Service will now receive $18.7 million in 2015/16.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the Andrews Labor Government was providing hospitals with extra funding to ensure Victorians can get the care they need when they need it.

"This is $619,000 more than East Grampians Health Service was provided in last year's State Budget," she said.

"The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with rebuilding our health system so that Victorians can get the care and treatment they need and deserve.

"We are providing extra funding to hospitals; we are building and expanding health services; and we are improving care in our communities. We are putting patients first."

"Not only are we investing more in health than the previous Liberal Government, we are also making important reforms so that our health system improves and Victorians can get the care they need, when they need it.

"This additional funding will support health services to meet the increasing demands of a growing and ageing population, expand and improve services and care, and reduce waiting times."

In 2015-16, the Andrews Labor Government is spending a total of $15.85 billion across the entire health system; in hospitals, ambulance services, mental health and drugs services, aged care, community health and public health services.

East Grampians wasn't the only health service to benefit from additional funding, Stawell Regional Health's budget will increase by $285,000.

Mr Bush said after a successful 2014/15 East Grampians was looking forward to the next 12 months.

"We have a financial surplus, have met all of our Department of Health targets, our aged care is near enough to 100 per cent and our recruitment and retention of staff continues to impress," he said.

Mr Bush said the health service will take on its next cohort of diploma of nursing students through Federation University at Pyrenees House in early 2016.

He said applications for the full time course will be made available in October or November this year.