‘Healthy boost’ for city services

Erin Pearson
GEELONG Hospital will increase elective surgery after two new theatres open next month, according to Health Minister Daniel Andrews.
Mr Andrews visited the hospital on Wednesday to announce Barwon Health would receive $33.6 million to help cater for a “growing and ageing population in Geelong”.
The extra funding was focussed on improving the emergency service and intensive care wards while freeing up beds for elective surgery, he said.
The hospital’s annual funding was “151 per cent” up on last year, providing Barwon Health with an additional $22.5 million for one of its biggest increases on record.
Mr Andrews said the Government would reveal additional funding after the new theatres and beds opened.
“We want to grow the size of Barwon Health,” he said.
“We know that the region is growing and ageing, therefore we must support Barwon Health to cover that.
Mr Andrews said the funding increase would pay for land to build a new hospital in Geelong’s Armstrong Creek urban growth area.
The Government was still in negotiations with land owners to determine a precise location for the hospital and the price of the site, he said,
The Government also announced a $4 million expansion of Geelong’s mental health facility on Wednesday.
Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville said the boost would provide support for 160 additional patients a year at the Barwon Health centre.