Today’s budget allocation to finally upgrade Warrnambool’s Base Hospital is down to the efforts of sustained community campaigning, Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell says.
Today’s State Budget allocates $384 million for the stage two redevelopment of the hospital and will finally deliver a new emergency department and expanded operating theatres.
Ms Britnell said the community should be celebrating this success.
“It’s taken six years, but we will finally get the hospital we need and deserve,” she said.
“I’m proud to have been a strong advocate for this project over the past five years and am so pleased that the Andrews Government has regonised the healthcare needs of our community matter.
“We are a growing community and the Base hospital is the largest healthcare provider in our region. The emergency department is too small for what the community needs. Elective surgery wait lists are among the highest in the state because the facilities just aren’t up to the demand they are under.
“The nurses and doctors have been doing an extraordinary job under huge amounts of pressure to make sure everyone gets the care they need – this funding will make their job a little bit easier for them and they absolutely deserve that.
“It’s my job to now ensure that every single dollar is spent properly with no waste so what we end up with is exactly what we need.
“This is a great day for our community and I can’t wait to see work finally begin on this long overdue and much needed upgrade.”
