The Allan Labor Government is making sure regional Victorians can continue to access world-class care – with more funding for regional hospitals to expand and upgrade their services and facilities.
Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas visited Heathcote Health today to announce the ninth round of the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) will open on 22 November and called for Victoria’s regional health services to apply for their share of $75 million in funding.
Now worth a total of $790 million, RHIF delivers projects including theatre refurbishments, new waiting rooms and hospital beds, accessible paths and ramps, additional consulting rooms, expansion projects and equipment upgrades.
Heathcote Health received more than $6.5 million in the last round to deliver its new Community Health Hub. Once complete, the new facility be a home for their Community Services Program and a one-stop-shop for a range of local community services.
The new building will feature a training and education area, private clinical appointment rooms, therapy and exercise space as well as staff and student accommodation.
This builds on the more than $2.6 million they received in the fifth round of RHIF to upgrade their main kitchen and laundry facility – which delivered a more modern, spacious and efficient working environment for staff, with these services making an important contribution to a patient’s stay.
Projects like these play a vital role in ensuring that regional health services can attract and retain, a highly skilled local workforce – with construction also supporting the creation of hundreds of jobs statewide.
Since establishing the RHIF in 2016, the Labor Government has funded more than 675 projects for regional health services – the largest program of its type in Victoria.
RHIF submissions close on 10 January 2025 and are also open to community health services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. For more information, visit vhba.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“RHIF is all about giving our regional health services the best facilities and the latest equipment to deliver safer, more efficient care in every corner of the state.”
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“The new state-of-the-art Community Health Hub will deliver a modern, one-stop-shop for community health services, while also improving the working environment for the dedicated local staff.”
