Dan Andrews has promised up to $290m dollars for the expansion of Wonthaggi Hospital

An election promise would see the Wonthaggi Hospital get 64 more beds, a new birthing complex and an outpatient clinic.

The Wonthaggi Hospital will get 64 more beds, a new birthing complex and an outpatient clinic if Labor is re-elected in November.

As part of a massive upgrade to the health facility, Daniel Andrews announced Labor would commit a further $290m to redeveloping the hospital, on top of the $115m already spent.

The Premier said stage two would be delivered by 2027 and in addition to providing more care for patients, the extension would provide jobs for the region.

“Bass Coast Health is one of the biggest employers in this district,” Mr Andrews said.

“What’s more, when you when you build new hospitals, you’re not only benefiting staff that are working for the hospitals and patients, but you also create many hundreds of construction jobs.”

Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday an election promise of $290 million to build stage two of the Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment. Â

Adding 750 construction jobs would be created through this project was a “point of pride”, he said. .

“It’s not a cost. It’s a profound investment,” he said.

Two new wards will be built, boosting capacity to treat sick and injured patients by up to 64 beds.

A new labour and delivery complex would have three birthing suites, while a 25 bed outpatient clinic would provide dialysis and chemotherapy as well as specialist appointments.

The investment would also refurbish allied health treatment spaces, admin buildings and training areas, and include extra car parks.

Wonthaggi Hospital chief executive Jan Child said the announcement was a “total shock” to her.

“This is a game changer,” she said.

“To have both government support and community support is amazing. This is like living a fairytale.”

Mr Andrews also announced new, specialised ambulance services that would be a first for Australia.

Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday an election promise of $290m to build stage two of the Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment.

If elected, the Labor government would implement “paramedic practitioners” who would provide urgent care to those who need it without transporting them to an emergency department.

The paramedic practitioners would be able to perform duties regular paramedics can’t, such as rehydration or suturing.

The $20m investment would see 25 paramedic practitioners on the road by 2026.

Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said paramedic practitioners would be a revolutionary model for Australia.

“It’s a big shift in thinking around what ambulance services do,” he said.

“These will be some of the highest trained paramedics anywhere in Australia, and possibly in the world and I know our members have been calling out for this for a long time.”

Paramedic practioners would be rolled out in regional and rural areas and not metropolitan Melbourne.