FOLLOWING the State Health Minister’s visit to Shepparton, Member for Shepparton, Kim O’Keeffe, said she is “dumbfounded” by Mary-Anne Thomas’ claims the redevelopment “is complete.”
“The Minister visited the GV Health hospital site and made absolutely no mention of the future funding for the second stage of its redevelopment,” Ms O’Keeffe said. “Instead, she took the occasion to declare ‘the hospital is complete and avoided questions regarding stage two funding.”
Stage two involves constructing an integrated cancer centre, increased acute and subacute inpatient capacity, additional spaces for ambulatory care services for specialist clinics, additional parking and a helipad, and clinical support and diagnostic services.
Ms O’Keeffe said GV Health received $26M to build its Integrated Cancer Centre but additional budget allocation is required to close the funding gap to enable the ICC project to proceed.
She said to deliver the best practice cancer care and treatment across the Goulburn Valley, the Minister and State Government must concede the job is not finished and commit to the funding needed to proceed.
“Right now, patients are not able to have treatment locally, which causes enormous stress at an already incredibly difficult time for them, their families and support networks,” she said.
“Because we are regional, there are the additional costs in accommodation, travel and taking leave from their employment while doing their best to care for the patient and still trying to juggle lives and other family members back home.
“In too many cases those close to the patient cannot be there to support them during their time of need, due to the distance and all the other challenges of being regionally based.
“The Minster has said healthcare is a priority across the State. I am seeking the Minister’s support in making sure that the GV Health redevelopment be completed, and that the healthcare of the people in my electorate is also a priority.”
