Warragul: Andrews Govt responds to West Gippsland hospital fury

A third major regional Victorian centre has missed out on funding for a new hospital – once again it's in a safe seat.

The West Gippsland health service in charge of Warragul hospital has extended an invitation to Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley to inspect the ageing facility after being left “deeply disappointed” that funding for a replacement hospital was overlooked in the state budget.

West Gippsland Healthcare Group chairwoman Christine Holland said it had done everything asked by the state government in the lead-up to the budget.

“For 16 years we’ve owned land to build the new hospital,” she said.

“In 2021 we provided a completely updated business case demonstrating the great need to build the new West Gippsland hospital to the Department of Health, at its request, for consideration in the budget.

“The current hospital, built in 1939, fails to meet modern standards and is only equipped to service a population less than half the size as the community we care for.

“Because there aren’t enough beds locally, high dependency unit or inpatient rehabilitation, people are forced to drive hours from their support network for treatment, moments when people are most vulnerable.

“Our population has soared to nearly 60,000. We cannot meet current demand. We can no longer have a high dependency unit. We had to cap births almost 10 years ago. The lack of overnight beds is a major problem.”

The Victorian government has responded to concerns raised about the lack of funds for a replacement Warragul hospital.

It has vowed to “continue to work with” the West Gippsland Healthcare Group and pointed out it contributed $9.3 million in late 2019 towards a short stay unit and third operating theatre at the hospital.

“We will continue to work with West Gippsland Healthcare Group to identify further opportunities to support system demand and meet community needs,” A Victorian government spokesman said.

STATE BUDGET SNUB

Warragul was one of three major regional centres that missed out on funding for new hospitals in the Victorian budget.

No funding was allocated for a replacement hospital in the safe-Liberal seat of Narracan, which would service the rapidly growing West Gippsland communities of Warragul, Drouin and surrounds.

Albury-Wodonga and Mildura also missed out on funding for new hospitals.

A site at Drouin East has already been secured and a refreshed business case completed for the West Gippsland project, with estimates it would cost $500 million.

Its failure to obtain funding in Tuesday’s state budget has stunned Rob Sinnett, who was an anaesthetist at the current West Gippsland hospital for more than 30 years before retiring.

Mr Sinnett was part of a campaign launched in the lead-up to the 2018 state election that collected more than 10,000 signatures in support of a new hospital in less than two weeks.

“The basis of the fight for a new hospital is population and it’s not going to stop,” he said.

“Warragul and Drouin are predicted to double by the middle of the 2030s and a lot of that will be younger people.

“This hospital has boxed above its weight for a long time and hasn’t had any real support.

“It’s 80-years-old and literally falling down in parts.

“The bottom line is not being a marginal seat.

“If you’re in a marginal seat someone will have a look and throw some money your way.”

Narracan MP Gary Blackwood.

Retiring Narracan MP, Liberal Gary Blackwood, said sadly politics were in play.

“It’s quite clear that Labor is not focused on this area,” he said.

“I was hoping they would have a genuine go with my retirement and with that would come a commitment to the hospital.

“They haven’t even got a candidate on the ground here yet.

“They are focused on the seats they need to hold because if they hold them they are back in.

“It’s disappointing when I know their own department has put it up as a priority and is ignoring it.”

The Coalition committed to building a new Warragul hospital before the 2018 election and Mr Blackwood expected it to do so again in the lead up to the November poll.

The Weekly Times has contacted the Victorian government for comment.

The West Gippsland Hospital at Warragul was opened in 1939.

Baw Baw Shire mayor Michael Leaney also expressed his “disappointment” at the budget snub.

“Particularly as there is an already-acquired 23.6 hectare greenfield site for the much needed hospital,” he said.

“Advocacy for a new hospital in West Gippsland remains one of the council’s key focus areas.

“While this is not a project in council’s jurisdiction to deliver, it is well understood and acknowledged by council and the community that the existing hospital is no longer able to keep up with regional growth and demand.”