Monday, 29 October 2018

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver the Phillip Island Community Hospital in Cowes to provide locals with the care they need closer to home.

Only Labor stands with our doctors, nurses and patients. We’ve already repaired the Liberals’ chronic cuts to healthcare, investing $3.2 billion to build world-class hospitals and deliver our health workers the modern equipment they need, but there’s more to do.

That’s why a re-elected Labor Government will deliver a Community Hospital in Cowes – with general medical, specialists and allied health services.

The community hospital will also include diagnostic imaging and pathology services, dental services and family violence support services.

It’s part of Labor’s $675 million fund to build and upgrade community hospitals in our suburbs and regional towns.

Labor will also put more specialists into the regions, paving the way for 500,000 more dedicated appointments with medical specialists in regional and rural Victoria – including Phillip Island – over the next four years.

Right now, many regional patients are required to travel to Melbourne for treatment and appointments, or face big out-of-pocket costs for a local private appointment.

With private specialist appointments costing between $175 and $565, this investment has the potential to save Victorian patients thousands of dollars. It will mean regional patients won’t be spending hours away from loved ones to access specialist care.

We will also establish an easy-to-access registry for GPs, with up-to-date information about individual hospital wait lists, so that country patients can be seen faster – and closer to home.

We’ve established Supercare Pharmacies throughout our suburbs and towns, but only a landmark boost to community hospitals will give patients the local care they deserve – and only Labor will get it done.

Design and detailed planning work on the Philip Island Community Hospital will commence next year, with works complete by 2024.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“Nothing beats the peace of mind of knowing that when a loved one gets sick, care is just around the corner.”

“Only a once-in-a-generation boost to community hospitals will give patients the best care – and only Labor will get it done.”

 Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“Our hard-working doctors and nurses in Victoria’s suburbs and towns do a tremendous job caring for us all. We’ll stand with them to help them do what they do best.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“This community hospital for Phillip Island will provide general and specialist patient care, non-acute treatment, treatment such as dialysis and chemotherapy and day procedures, so that patients can be treated closer to home. It will also improve waiting times at major hospitals as the population grows, and if re-elected, we’ll work closely with the community and stakeholders to deliver the clinical services that are most important to Phillip Island’s residents. 

Quote attributable to Labor Candidate for Bass Jordan Crugnale

“The Liberals have let down our local community – only Labor will invest in the vital services, like expanding health services on Phillip Island which will make a real difference to the lives of locals.”