| Thursday, 8 June 2000
MAJOR FUNDING BOOST SAVES DAYLESFORD HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT
A major redevelopment of Daylesford’s health facilities will now go ahead after the Health Minister, John Thwaites, today announced $2.4 million of new capital funding.
Visiting Daylesford, Mr Thwaites said $1.7 million would allow a major redevelopment of the Daylesford Hospital and nursing home, and a further $700,000 would be used to upgrade the Daylesford Community Health Centre.
“The previous Kennett Government allocated $3 million to the hospital and nursing home redevelopment, but it was not enough to get the project off the ground,” Mr Thwaites said.
“This meant that the money was sitting around unused for more than a year, while the hospital and nursing home was desperately in need of the work.
“The Bracks Government has allocated the extra money which will allow the project to go ahead and provide much-needed upgraded health and aged care facilities for the Daylesford community.
“The hospital and nursing home facilities will be totally redeveloped into a modern 30-bed aged care facility which will cater for older residents with a range of needs.”
Mr Thwaites said the Daylesford Community Health Centre redevelopment would provide comfortable, efficient premises and the scope to bring extra services to the community under the one roof.
“Present facilities in the ageing community health building are inadequate, and do not lend themselves to comfort or privacy for members of the community,” he said.
“The redevelopment will remodel and expand accommodation to meet the needs for individual treatment and consulting spaces.”
The expansion will also allow the Daylesford Family Services program to relocate to the Community Health Centre next door to the hospital.
Run by Hepburn Health Services, the health centre provides a comprehensive range of services, including allied health, welfare, social support, District Nursing, specialist children’s services and drug and alcohol withdrawal.
“These services are central to working with people and keeping them healthy and living in the community. The redeveloped Daylesford Community Health Centre will take its place as a key agency in the Daylesford community, and act as a valuable complement to the hospital,” Mr Thwaites said.
Media Release Attachment - Daylesford.doc [Word, 98304 Bytes]
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