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Andrews government pledges $1 billion to upgrade two hospitals

By Caroline Schelle

The emergency departments at two hospitals in Melbourne’s north will be redeveloped under a $1 billion plan if the Andrews government is re-elected in November.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday morning announced Labor’s plan to upgrade the Austin Hospital at Heidelberg and the Northern Hospital at Epping.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced a re-elected government would spend $1 billion to upgrade two hospitals in Melbourne’s north.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced a re-elected government would spend $1 billion to upgrade two hospitals in Melbourne’s north. Credit: Meredith O’Shea

“This is a big boost for the north,” Andrews said.

The opposition responded to the announcement by saying it was a sign the state’s health system had been neglected by Labor.

The upgrade will provide an extra 20 emergency treatment spaces at the Austin Hospital, at a cost of between $250 million and $300 million, according to the government.

The Northern Hospital will get an investment of between $770 million and $880 million for a new emergency department with an extra 70 treatment spaces.

It would also receive a new tower for inpatients, with more than 100 beds.

“These are the next steps that need to be taken,” Andrews said.

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The upgrades to the hospitals are scheduled to be completed by 2028, he said, and there would be no disruptions to patients during construction.

The premier said all the government’s election promises would be costed by the Department of Treasury and Finance and released closer to November 26, the day of the election. He said there was no plan to increase taxes but could not rule out borrowing to pay for the hospital package.

Andrews said the upgrade would allow the Northern Hospital to treat an extra 58,000 patients a year, while at the Austin 30,000 more would be treated.

“This is a big boost for the north because we know there is pressure in the system,” he said.

Shadow treasurer David Davis would not immediately commit to matching Labor’s election promises for the Northern and Austin hospitals, but said the government’s announcement was a sign of its failure to recognise the “massive amount of damage” in the state’s healthcare system.

He also criticised the Andrews government for failing to increase vital services in Melbourne’s booming northern suburbs. “It’s like a light-bulb moment is starting to go on with Daniel Andrews,” Davis said.

Shadow treasurer David Davis accused the government of neglecting the state’s health system.

Shadow treasurer David Davis accused the government of neglecting the state’s health system.Credit: Paul Jeffers

“After eight years, [the premier] is realising there’s a massive amount of damage in our health system. He’s waking up to the damage that he has done, his health ministers have done, their incompetence has done, and their failure to manage the growth of the state.”

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine said that whoever won November’s election, the system would need significant investments to confront pressures on healthcare.

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Victorian faculty chair of the college, Dr Belinda Hibble, said investments needed to be matched with workforce planning.

“Staff shortages remain a major and serious issue currently facing the system,” she said.

Andrews continued his attack line that the Coalition had a history of trying “desperately, passionately to sell off” hospitals in the past, including the Austin under the former Kennett government.

It’s the latest in a string of promises from both the state government and opposition in the lead-up to November’s election, where health policies are emerging as a key battleground.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy on Saturday committed $400 million to upgrade the Maroondah Hospital – in Melbourne’s east – should the Coalition win government.

Then, on Sunday the premier said his government, if re-elected, would rebuild the hospital and rename it after Queen Elizabeth II in a $1 billion investment.

Tuesday’s announcement comes as health services around the state scrambled to make plans to accommodate the Queen’s memorial public holiday on Thursday.

Several surgeons said they were not aware of any widespread cancellations of planned surgeries at Victorian hospitals, but they still anticipated there could be more staff unavailable to work, as childcare centres closed.

Patrick Lo, the Victorian chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, said some smaller hospitals might struggle to find the required staff, but the larger hospitals should be able to honour the booked appointments.

Almost 90,000 Victorians are on the elective surgery waiting list.

“I get what they’re trying to do. It’s [about] respect for someone who’s devoted their life to service,” Lo said.

“Any other year, there would not be such a concern. But the year where we are slowly coming out of the pandemic, and we have this, it’s a real impact. There is no right or wrong to this.”

With Sumeyya Ilanbey, Rachel Eddie and Aisha Dow

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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5bjfn