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Peter Walsh calls for urgent investment in regional healthcare services amid state budget crisis and neglect

The Andrews Labor government is urged to prioritise regional healthcare services, which have been neglected for too long, despite financial difficulties.

By news@gippsland - 1st May 2023 - Back to News

Even with the state's finances on life support, regional communities rightly expect the Andrews Labor government to prioritise investment into our healthcare services. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. It's never too much to demand adequate services and infrastructure in our communities, and the regions have been neglected for far too long.

Healthcare is a right, but Labor keeps neglecting regional healthcare ignoring urgent funding that is needed for Goulburn, Bairnsdale, Swan Hill, Hamilton, while Mildura plan kept secret

Victoria healthcare crisis

This is a crisis that touches every inch of Victoria. If the Premier needs directions to get beyond Melbourne's tram tracks, he can look to Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton, Bairnsdale Hospital in Gippsland, Swan Hill Hospital along the Murray River, and Hamilton Hospital in the Wimmera - all of which need urgent funding to begin or complete redevelopments.

Or, in the state's north-west, the Mildura Base Public Hospital Master Plan has been locked in a vault and kept secret by Mr Andrews for more than a year, stalling urgent investment in the region's main healthcare service.

Regional health prioritisation

Smaller investments are just as important to our quality of life. Benalla needs funding for four dialysis chairs, Euroa Health is in urgent need of ongoing funding, Lifeline Gippsland needs additional funding to meet increased demand, and aged care services - such as in Bright or Numurkah - need urgent investment to support our senior citizens.

Cruel cuts to community health services have already been announced by the Andrews Labor government, and important infrastructure projects are being delayed to prop up a sinking budget that has maxed out the public's credit card. This budget will be a shocker, but regional healthcare services must be prioritised, especially after years of ongoing neglect.

Pictures from Gippsland Region Public Health Unit Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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