PREMIER John Brumby announced a much-needed $9.5 million boost to Bendigo hospital during a visit to the city last Friday. During the first of three pre-budget announcements, Mr Brumby ticked off on the hospital’s urgent request for the money to redevelop its emergency department. The money will add another storey on the ED, and allow for the construction of an eight-bed short stay unit for patients not sick enough to be admitted, but required to be monitored. The money will create and free up more-urgent beds. The funding was part of a $135 million rural health announcement Mr Brumby said was part of closing the divide between the city and country. “I was here at Bendigo hospital in January and I visited this emergency department,” he said. “The reason I visited ... was to see first hand the pressure on this ED. “It was put to me very strongly there was a need for a new ED facility.” Mr Brumby said any money for the entire redevelopment of the Bendigo hospital would be considered at next year’s budget. Liberal Party member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said the government had not gone far enough. “Interim funding for Bendigo Hospital is not enough, we need a state government funding commitment for the full redevelopment of the hospital and a time line for works,” she said. Nationals member for Northern Victoria Damian Drum questioned the motivation of the announcement. “The $9.5 million for Bendigo hospital’s accident and emergency department has raised questions about Labor’s willingness to get on with the job of redeveloping the entire hospital,” he said.
The Government should tell us why they are six months late starting work at Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehaawk. Another case of not getting things right? A bit like Flora Hill college site when Jacinta Allan as education minister forgot to sign off on land swap deal?
