News

Health | March 05, 2018

Kealy kicks in $600,000 to start Willaura Hospital redevelopment

The Nationals Member for Lowan and Shadow Minister for Country Health, Emma Kealy MP has announced an elected Liberal Nationals Government will kick in $600,000 to start the $2 million redevelopment of the Willaura Hospital.

“People living in the Willaura region deserve access to first class health services and facilities and that’s what a Liberal Nationals Government will deliver”, Ms Kealy said.

Ms Kealy said members of the local community would benefit greatly from the project, which would include;

• a purpose built GP clinic
• two consulting rooms for use by GPs and visiting health professionals
• private ensuite bathrooms for ten rooms to improve care and privacy for patients
• extension of the dayroom to increase the area available for dining and recreation
• ramps to improve disability access to the building and a disabled toilet
• a reception and waiting area to improve security and amenity

“A Liberal Nationals Government will provide the $600,000 to kick start the much-needed redevelopment of the Willaura Hospital if elected in November,” Ms Kealy said.

“The existing buildings are significantly aged and in urgent need of major works to support the fabulous staff at Willaura Hospital deliver the best possible healthcare to our local people.

“We know that attracting and retaining clinical and support staff is getting harder in regional Victoria, which is one of the many reasons we need to ensure our rural health facilities are first class,” she said.

Ms Kealy announced the funding commitment at the Willaura market on Sunday, which is a major fundraiser for the Willaura Hospital Auxiliary.

“The hospital community has done a fantastic job with the redevelopment plan, and I am proud to announce that the Liberal Nationals will contribute the state contribution that has been requested,” Ms Kealy said.

“I am proud to be part of a Liberal and Nationals team that recognises that when the people living in and around Willaura need healthcare, they need to be able to access great health services locally and will be supported by a fantastic purpose built healthcare facility.

“The Liberal and Nationals are committed to first-class health facilities in country areas and see redevelopment of the Willaura Hospital as vital to ensuring the future wellbeing of the local community.

“The Andrews Labor Government’s ‘health design, service and infrastructure plan’ released in late 2017 has no specific actions, no timelines and no funding to address Victoria’s future health needs. Instead the report just summarises old announcements and fails to plan for our future needs.

“Victorians will have a clear choice in November – more of Daniel Andrews all talk and no action approach or a Liberal Nationals Government that will deliver first-class health facilities for all Victorians, not just those living in metropolitan Melbourne,” she said.