Construction of a state-of-the-art new Bairnsdale Hospital will commence under a Liberal and Nationals Government with a pledge today of $230 million if elected in November, along with significant upgrades to Maffra Hospital.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the region was one of the rural areas in the state that was growing at a consistent rate and the major hospital needed to keep pace with that population increase.

“Stage one of the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS) rebuild will feature a new and larger Emergency Department, all new wards, first class facilities for visiting specialists and a helipad on top of the building, it will be an entirely new hospital when completed.

“I have been working closely with the BRHS Board on this and they have done a terrific job with master planning and detailed costings. It really is an exciting commitment for the region, and I can’t think of a more pressing and important need,” he said.

BRHS Board Chair, Chris Barry, said the proposed redevelopment will be able to provide our community with health and medical services well into the future.

“The new facility will be able to be built on the existing site with minimal disruption to current and future services,” he said.

Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said the Liberals and Nationals were making significant investment in rural health across the length and breadth of the state.

“We see health as a higher priority than the Box Hill to Cheltenham rail line and that is why we are reallocating all of those funds to fixing our health crisis.

“I have been a regular visitor to this region for many years and every time I travel here, I can see the growth and understand that our health facilities need to keep pace with that,” she said.

Mr Bull also announced $6.1million for upgrades to the Maffra Hospital.

“I have been working with the Central Gippsland Health Service (CGHS) since very early this year on their needs for the Maffra Hospital and was recently provided with detailed costings which amounted to $6.1 million, which we are happy to provide as part of our suite to upgrade country hospitals.”

Caption: State Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is thrilled to announce a new $230 million state-of-the-art Bairnsdale Hospital will be constructed under a Liberal and Nationals Government, if elected this November.

Wednesday, 12 October 2022