WESTERN Health has had its bottom-line budget funding more than doubled – a 106.6 per cent increase – since the Bracks Government came into office.
Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said last week that hospital budget increases for 2007-08 across the state meant funding had nearly doubled since 1999.
Ms Pike said Victoria’s overall hospital budget bottom line had increased by 91 per cent under the Bracks Government, with 15 hospitals and health services receiving more than doubled budgets, including five of the major metropolitan health services – Eastern, Northern, Peninsula, Southern and Western.
Western Health spokesman Cameron Weston welcomed the funding announcement, saying it would enable the service to continue to meet the health needs of the diverse range of people in the West.
“The coming year is set to be a big one at Western Health, with design and planning work set to commence for the redevelopment of Sunshine Hospital,” Mr Weston said.
“$20 million has been allocated for the first step in creating a new, multi-storey east wing, housing 128 new and upgraded beds. Of this, $9 million will be allocated towards design and planning of the redevelopment and $6.3 million to infrastructure upgrades. A further $4.7 million will upgrade sterilisation, maternity and medical imaging services.
“A further $24 million in capital works will be undertaken at the Footscray Site.”
