$220,000 grant to bolster medical equipment and improve patient care

A state government grant of $220,000 will go towards two new steriliser units at Stawell Regional Health.

The grant was part of the first round of the state government’s new Regional Health Infrastructure Fund scheme.

Two new steriliser units will ensure more surgeries could be performed, cancellations reduced and the reliability of medical equipment improved.

Stawell Regional Health chief executive Liz McCourt said the money would also ensure the hospital had a spare steriliser, should one go offline.

“The funding is absolutely terrific, it is something that was much needed as our steriliser at the moment is quite bold,” she said.

“When we sterilise equipment we scrub it in the sink, put it in the washer at high temperatures and then the sterilise it, it is also good for dressing packs and other bits and pieces.

“Sterilising is really important for safe care and that is something we make a priority here.”

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy said the 2016-17 Victorian budget provided an extra $2.45 billion for health so hospitals could admit more patients, reduce waiting times, upgrade buildings and infrastructure, and keep Victorians healthy.

“We are putting patients first and revamping our rural and regional health services so more Stawell patients can be treated sooner and closer to home,” she said.

“Here in Stawell we are making sure more patients get the safe, high quality care and surgeries they need with an expansion of the hospital’s central sterile department.”

Minister Hennessy also said the state government grant would support doctors and nurses at their job.

“Doctors and nurses at Stawell do a remarkable job, we are supporting them to do their job saving lives and keeping locals healthy by giving them the very best medical equipment,” she said.

Stawell Regional Health will receive $16.06 million in government funding in 2016-17, $568,000 more than provided the previous financial year.

“It is a special time for Stawell Regional Health and shows we are improving our services,” Ms McCourt said.

“We are putting patients first and revamping our rural and regional health services so more Stawell patients can be treated sooner and closer to home.” – Jill Hennessy