New intensive care unit promised for Angliss Hospital in Ferntree Gully

THE State Opposition has announced a $20m plan to build a 12-bed intensive care unit at Angliss Hospital if it wins the November election.

An intensive care unit has been promised for Angliss Hospital in Ferntree Gully.

A NEW Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be added to the Angliss Hospital if a Labor Government is elected.

Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews has announced a $20m proposal to build a 12-bed ICU and an eight-bed short-stay unit.

It comes after Eastern Health, which runs the Angliss Hospital, has been calling out for the need for more critical care facilities.

The new ICU would provide the latest technology to treat heart attacks, strokes, severe infections, organ failure and complications resulting from surgery.

Mr Andrews said the new ICU would save lives by reducing the amount of time patients are attended to in an emergency. He said the short-stay unit would free up other hospital resources and reduce emergency department treatment times.

Health Minister David Davis wouldn’t say whether the Coalition would match Labor’s commitment, but said it would make is policy announcements in coming months.

“Labor didn’t spent a cent on capital works at the Angliss Hospital for most of its 11 years in Government. They funded nothing at the Angliss after 2004.”

The Coalition Government had increased annual funding to Eastern Health by $133 million.