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Busy Warragul Hospital Steps Up for PatientsThe Labor Government delivered a $2.5 billion boost to hospitals’ operating budgets and is getting on with delivering a huge $7 billion pipeline of hospital projects to back hospitals to do what they do best. By Portal Admin - 19th February 2020 - Back to News Victoria’s public hospitals continue to see record demand with huge numbers of patients calling ambulances, attending emergency departments and being admitted to hospital from EDs over the past three months.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Jenny Mikakos has released the hospital and ambulance performance data for the December quarter and thanked our hard-working doctors, nurses, paramedics and other medical staff for their efforts caring for record numbers of patients.
Victorian emergency departments saw a record 479,163 patients this quarter while maintaining high levels of care, with 100 per cent of Category 1 presentations treated immediately on arrival.
The West Gippsland Hospital has continued to perform strongly in treating and caring for patients. In the December quarter West Gippsland Hospital:
- Admitted 3825 patients in the three months to the end of December – 260 more than a year earlier.
- Admitted 1193 patients through the emergency department in the three months to the end of December – 264 more than a year earlier.
- Admitted 2053 patients for same-day treatment in the three months to the end of December – up by 176 on a year earlier.
- Saw 6271 patients in the ED for the December quarter – up by 214 on the previous three months.
- Treated 100% of Category 1 emergency patients immediately upon arrival at the ED.
- Transferred 92.8% of ambulance arrivals to the ED within the benchmark 40 minutes – well up on the State-wide average of 75.6%.
- Provided operations to 100% of the Category 1 urgent elective surgery patients within the benchmark 30 days, half of them within 13 days – a day faster than the September quarter.
Across the State, half of all ambulance transfers to hospital were completed within 23 minutes – well below the benchmark target of 40 minutes.
Victorian elective surgery patients are also being seen sooner than in anywhere else in Australia, with national data confirming our public hospitals are leading the nation when it comes to treatment time.
In the December quarter, of the Category 1 elective surgery patients who require treatment within 30 days – half received their procedure within 10 days, helping them get back on their feet sooner.
The Andrews Labor Government’s reforms to outpatient and specialist clinics has also led to sustained improvement in wait times, with half of all urgent first appointments seen within 16 days – matching the record achieved last quarter. Clinic visits have been boosted by the Labor Government’s $136.2 million investment in 500,000 specialist appointments in regional Victoria.
Victoria’s ambulances transported a massive 78,820 emergency patients in the three months to the end of December – 4,513 more than a year earlier. Paramedics reached 82.5 per cent of Code 1 cases across the state within the benchmark 15 minutes, with an average response time of 11 minutes and 29 seconds.
That’s nearly two minutes faster than the same period in 2014, when the Liberals’ war with paramedics saw just 74.1 per cent of ambulances arriving within 15 minutes.
In the Baw Baw Shire, 67.6% of Code 1 ambulances arrived on scene within 15 minutes in the December quarter. Ambulances attended 726 call-outs, up from 623 a year earlier.
Baw Baw’s Code 1 ambulances arrived in an average 14 minutes 20 seconds.
The 67.6% arrival rate contrasts with just 46% under the Liberals in the same quarter in 2014, when the arrival time was an average 19:27.
This year, the Labor Government delivered a $2.5 billion boost to hospitals’ operating budgets and is getting on with delivering a huge $7 billion pipeline of hospital projects to back hospitals to do what they do best.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
"I thank our dedicated doctors, nurses, paramedics and hospital staff in West Gippsland and Baw Baw Shire who are caring for more patients than ever, with record numbers of ambulance call-outs, emergency department presentations and hospital admissions."
"Victorians waiting for elective surgery are being seen sooner than anywhere else in Australia and our big boost to specialist appointments means more regional patients are getting specialist care closer to home."
"We’re so proud of our hardworking hospital staff and local paramedics who are reaching ill and injured Victorians four minutes faster on average than they did under the Liberals - our record investment into better healthcare is translating directly into improved performance and faster treatment for people when they need it most."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
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Crime in Victoria has reached record levels under the Allan Labor government, with rising offences and family violence, police under-resourced, and weakened laws leaving communities increasingly unsafe, says Tim Bull. - Gippsland’s growth at risk without urgent government investment in housing, infrastructure, warns One Gippsland Chair
One Gippsland warns growth could stall without urgent investment in housing and infrastructure to support workforce, energy projects, and address social, affordable housing shortages across the region. - Tim Bull says firewood shortage worsened by Labor policies amid abundant bush timber
Tim Bull says Labor’s native timber shutdown has caused firewood shortages in East Gippsland, despite record bush fuel loads, urging practical policy changes to reduce fire risk and supply timber responsibly. - East Gippsland Council and farmers welcome the $2.75M boost for feral pig control under the Victorian government's Protecting Biodiversity program
East Gippsland Shire Council and farmers welcome $2.75 million for feral pig control, focusing on public land, local employment, and coordinated efforts to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and regional communities. - Tim Bull trashes misused Treasurer’s Advance as Allan government wastes $9M on costly failed camping trial
The Allan government spent $9 million in emergency funds on a failed free-camping trial, creating "ghost bookings" and hurting local businesses, prompting Nationals MP Tim Bull to condemn the misuse and demand accountability. - Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities. - Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity amid Labor’s mismanaged renewable energy transition
Victorian Auditor-General warns Gippsland faces energy insecurity as Labor mismanages the renewable energy transition, delaying projects, electricity reliability, raising prices, causing gas shortages, and threatening jobs and households. - Regional all abilities participation grants is now open to boost inclusive sports opportunities for people with disability in regional communities
The Allan Labor government's Regional All Abilities Participation Grants offer up to $25,000 for clubs to boost disability inclusion through equipment, training, travel support, and all-abilities sports programs. - DEECA invites landcare groups to apply for Victorian government grants with $3.55M in total by 23 April 2026
Victorian Landcare Grants offer $3.55 million to support environmental volunteers, funding projects up to $20,000 that protect nature, restore habitats, and connect communities. Applications close 23 April 2026. - Sale’s burnt police station must be cleared and redeveloped after 11 years of government inaction, says Danny O’Brien
Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urges Allan Labor Government to clear and redevelop Sale’s old police station site after 11 years of inaction, following its recent deliberate burning. - Melina Bath warns diesel crisis threatens regional Victoria, urging Allan government to prioritise agriculture, transport and food
Melina Bath warned regional Victoria faces a diesel crisis, urging the Allan government to prioritise fuel for farms, transport, and households to protect food supply and regional economic stability. - Danny O’Brien warns Gippslanders to stay alert as fake government email and text scams increase
Danny O’Brien urges residents to stay vigilant against sophisticated government-themed email and text scams, verify messages using Scam Safe Check, and report suspicious activity to protect the community. - Farm Field Day boosts production, biodiversity, carbon reduction and income with shelterbelts on 2 December 2025
Join us at Bushy Park on 2 December to learn from experts and farmers how shelterbelts boost production, biodiversity, carbon reduction, and farm income, with practical tips and funding advice. - Victorian Agency for Health Information data shows ambulance services declining due to Labor's under‑resourcing, mismanagement and denial
The latest data shows Victoria’s ambulance service declining, with fewer than 64% of Code 1 responses within 15 minutes, highlighting regional delays, under‑resourcing, and mismanagement under the Allan Labor government. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents. - Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity. - Latrobe City Children's Expo returns to Kernot Hall with family fun, interactive learning and the Monash Teddy Bear Hospital
Latrobe City Children's Expo returns to Kernot Hall on 23 October, featuring fun activities, entertainment, local services, and the Monash Teddy Bear Hospital promoting children's health, learning, and community connection. - Darren Chester supports Tribunal decision to defend veterans' right, opposing Albanese government plan limiting Acts of Gallantry review
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal will defend veterans' rights at a Senate inquiry, opposing the Albanese government's plan to impose a 20-year limit on reviewing acts of gallantry. - Tim Bull says Victoria can’t manage current parks, criticising government plans to further expand network
Tim Bull says expanding Victoria’s national parks is irresponsible, arguing existing parks are neglected, understaffed and overrun by pests, weeds and feral animals, with reduced funding making effective land management increasingly impossible. - Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care. - Danny O'Brien welcomes progress on Sealers Cove track repairs but slams years of Labor delays at Wilsons Prom
Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities. - Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads. - Committee for Gippsland hosts investment briefing with Victoria’s Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul
The Committee for Gippsland hosted Victoria’s Investment Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul, discussing minerals, data centres, and strategies to attract private investment and boost regional economic growth. - East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies. - Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens, delivering world-class trails, boosting tourism, community, and local economy
Omeo’s 114-kilometre, $10 million mountain bike park has officially opened, offering world-class trails, boosting tourism, energising local businesses, and celebrating years of community vision, planning, and collaboration.
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