General News
25 August, 2022
New funding a boost for local health service
New medical equipment is on the way to the Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS), set to benefit both patients and staff as part of a major funding announced from the State Government. On Tuesday Premier Daniel Andrews announced MDHS, along...
New medical equipment is on the way to the Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS), set to benefit both patients and staff as part of a major funding announced from the State Government.
On Tuesday Premier Daniel Andrews announced MDHS, along with Castlemaine Health, Ballarat Base Hospital, Bendigo Health and 34 other health services and public health laboratories will share in $105 million of funding for new equipment.
The funding comes from three programs which will see hospitals receive new equipment such as CT scanners, MRIs, and X-Ray units, and items including ultrasound units, microscopes, monitors and operating tables.
Upgrades to important infrastructure such as generators, chillers, emergency lighting, nurse call systems and air conditioning systems is also on the cards.
The announcement is an added bonus for the local health service with plans for the $100 million redevelopment of the Maryborough Hospital already underway, and MDHS associate director of nursing Heather Blazko said the new funding will benefit staff and patients.
“As part of this initiative we’re looking at upgrading our endoscopy tower which has light sources and a camera,” she said.
“This is what we felt we would benefit most from — we’re currently doing a lot of endoscopy to help out Ballarat’s waiting list.
“This means our staff can have confidence they’re using state-of-the-art equipment which is best practice, you can’t get any better than that.
“At the end of the day this is helping us help patients who’ve been on waiting lists for a long time to get their procedures done.”
Premier Andrews said the latest funding will help hospitals meet record demand which has been ongoing as a result of the pandemic.
“We’re supporting our hard-working healthcare workers with the very best hospitals, theatres, surgical tools and diagnostic equipment available, so they can keep doing what they do best — saving lives,” he said.
“It’s all part of our plan to help hospitals meet the record demand they’re facing and deliver world-class care sooner, and closer to home, for every Victorian.”