THE Labor Party has pledged funding worth $3.9 million toward a refurbishment of Ararat hospital’s pathology and radiology departments if elected.
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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Jill Hennessy made the announcement in Ararat on Thursday morning as part of a broader $100 million boost to the party’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
East Grampians Health Service chief executive Andrew Freeman welcomed the election promise.
“The radiology and pathology departments are vital for us to continue to run all our other services through the organisation,” he said.
“They support our acute unit, our theatre, and maternity unit.
“So some of our vital services that we’re running, they help support and complement them.”
The refurbishment would be the final project in a series of three upgrades the hospital has identified as priorities, Mr Freeman said.
The first two include an upgrade to the operating theatre and an upgrade to its aged care facility, 70 Lowe Street, which both received funding earlier this year.
As far as Mr Freeman knew, the pathology and radiology departments have received funding before but had not received such a large cash injection.
“What the upgrade does is allow us to upgrade a very old part of the service and the infrastructure there, which will help us make a more efficient department, a more contemporary department, and make it a much nicer place for patients to come,” Mr Freeman said.
“We’ve had wonderful support from the Blue Ribbon Foundation, who have contributed money to the CT Scanner and other radiology equipment, but this by far would be the biggest investment in the radiology and pathology departments.”
Mr Freeman said the planning stage for the operating theatre upgrade is underway and the community health upgrade is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
During the announcement Mr Andrews pointed to the importance of the regional health fund.
“I grew up in regional Victoria, and I know how important good healthcare is to local families when someone gets sick,” he said.
“We’re upgrading regional and rural hospitals around the state, so the best treatment is just around the corner.”