The commencement of works at the Swan Hill District Health Emergency Department is a welcome start, however the Victorian Labor Government needs to do more, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health and Member for Mallee Anne Webster says.

The first sod was turned on the project this week, following the Victorian Government’s addition of $35 million to the $30 million committed by the former Federal Coalition Government.

“I am pleased the State Government has responded to the Swan Hill District Health services desperate need for funding,” Dr Webster said.

“However, the hospital is in need of a complete rebuild and I call on the Andrews Labor Government to make that commitment. State governments have the remit for hospital infrastructure, and they need to step up.”

The Swan Hill District Health Emergency Department redevelopment will boost the Department’s capacity, doubling the treatment spaces, giving it the capacity to treat 25,000 patients annually.

“As Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health, I want to see better health service delivery across all aspects of the sector in regional Victoria,” Dr Webster said.

“While the funding for Swan Hill District Health’s emergency department is a start, there is still a long road ahead for Labor to truly provide equitable health care for those of us in the regions, particularly here in the north-west.

“This is why I convened the Regional Health Workforce Summit in March to address the dire shortage of workers. Now I am developing policies to train, attract and retain general practitioners, nurses and allied health, as well as specialists in regional areas. What we need from the State Government is more investment in the bricks and mortar.”