Wimmera Health Care Group’s Wimmera Base Hospital and Dimboola Campus, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital and West Wimmera Health Service were included in the first round of new regional health grants. 

Wimmera Health Care Group will receive more than $1.2 million to upgrade communications and fire stafety services at Horsham and Dimboola.

Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford said on Monday that the health care group would receive  $1,224,986 through the first round of the new $200 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.

“The Labor Government is very mindful that Victorians deserve the best health care facilities, no matter where they live, and I’m really pleased we’ve been able to fund these important projects at Wimmera Health Care Group” Ms Pulford said.

“Our dedicated doctors and nurses at Wimmera Health Care Group do a remarkable job and we are supporting them with better facilities and equipment.”

The announcement includes:

Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital will receive $6.3 million for upgrades from the state government.

Ms Pulford said more patients in Edenhope will get the high quality care they need thanks to a funding boost to redevelop aged care facilities.

“For Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, we are investing $6.3 million to co-locate the high care facility with the low care facility which are currently at opposite ends of the hospital block,” she said.

“The current logistics and layout present significant and numerous inadequacies and the funding will lead to better use of resources and better care for residents using the facility.

“This investment will mean better and safer care for patients and modern facilities for staff in Edenhope,” Ms Pulford said.

West Wimmera Health Service campuses will receive $748,000 for air conditioning and fire safety upgrades.

$352,560 will go to replace the existing air conditioning system at the Nhill campus and $396,003 will go to upgrading the fire detection systems at Nhill, Natimuk, Rainbow and Jeparit.

Ms Pulford said the Nhill campus’s air conditioning system was about 40 years old and the new system would provide energy efficient, individual units to each room.

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy welcomed the Edenhope announcement.

“Woo hoo! After years of lobbying, the Edenhope community will finally get a much needed refurbishment of their aged care facility with $6.3m being announced for the hospital today,” she posted on Facebook.

“Congratulations to the wonderful Edenhope community and everyone who's been involved in master planning and lobbying for dollars over the years. You did it!

“I've pushed for this funding for such a long time, in my previous role as chief executive of Edenhope Hospital, and most recently in Parliament just a few weeks ago. A very proud moment!”

Ms Kealy also welcomed the West Wimmera announcement.

“I have previously spoken in parliament and raised concerns regarding the need for health infrastructure funding across the Lowan Electorate,” Ms Kealy said.

“Our country region needs and deserves our fair share of Hospital capital funding and this is great news of our local area,” Ms Kealy said.

“We all deserve quality health services, whether we live in the city or the country, and it is important country communities are provided with first-class facilities.”

The money will be provided through the first round of the Government’s new $200 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.

Ms Pulford said the fund aimed to rebuild rural and regional hospitals to ensure all Victorians can access the high quality care and facilities they need, no matter where they live.

“We’re putting patients first by revamping our rural and regional health services so more patients in Western Victoria can be treated sooner, closer to home,” she said.