The Victorian Government has upped the ante on a promise by the state Opposition to build a new hospital in West Gippsland, pledging up to $675 million for a hospital with aged care beds attached.
To be built in Drouin East, the hospital will include a public aged care service with up to 60 beds, servicing Baw Baw Shire and all of the West Gippsland region; this is in contrast to the Coalition’s previously-announced plan for a $400 million hospital with no aged care.
“More and more Victorians have discovered West Gippsland is a beautiful place to live and work – this booming population needs a new local hospital to deliver world-class care,” said Premier Dan Andrews.
“Labor is doing what matters – we’ll deliver the new hospital and an aged care centre that West Gippsland needs, now and into the future.”
The hospital itself will include up to 223 beds and treatment spaces, 33 emergency department spaces, and 25 outpatient and specialist care spaces, and will commence construction by 2024 if Labor is returned in next month’s election.
Labor has also promised $170 million to redevelop regional aged care homes, including one at Maffra in Gippsland.
