Central Highlands Rural Health has secured $7.1 million from the Victorian Government for Creswick Aged Care and Daylesford Hospital in the latest rounds of funding allocations.
Thanks to the Victorian Government’s Rural Residential Aged Care Facilities Program, $2.6 million has been allocated to complete stage 3 of the redevelopments at Creswick Aged Care. This complements the $6.8 million already received in the previous two rounds. The new funding will upgrade the six remaining bedrooms, extend residents’ common areas, install overhead tracking, and upgrade heating and cooling systems.
In Daylesford, $4.5 million has been allocated from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, slated to upgrade and enhance theatre facilities.
Central Highlands Rural Health’s CEO Maree Cuddihy said:
“We are really grateful and delighted to secure these much-needed funds to strengthen services and facilities in Creswick and Daylesford. The Victorian Government has recognised the need to improve our aging infrastructure so we can better support our local communities.”
The funding allocated in Creswick will complete works started in 2019. The new money will ensure the facility meet contemporary standards of care across all areas of the home.
In Daylesford, the $4.5 million grant will help upgrade theatres and sterilizing areas, ensuring more locals can get the surgeries they need, closer to home.
“We know there is a lot to be done in Daylesford and this funding is a positive first step in our long-term goal to ensure Daylesford Hospital delivers contemporary, safe, high quality and sustainable health care for its local community,” said Ms Cuddihy.
The Daylesford funding coincides with a community campaign to upgrade Daylesford Hospital. $100,000 has been raised from the local community to undertake the preparation of a master plan to address the deteriorating facilities that no longer meet contemporary standards and community expectations of health services.
“There are many spaces that are not fit for purpose or don’t meet the expected standard for service provision. Thanks to groundswell of support from the community, the master plan will provide the vision for future redevelopment and ensure that we are investing in services aligned with our services planning,” said Ms Cuddihy.
The Daylesford Hospital master plan will include a physical assessment of the condition of the existing buildings and engineering infrastructure, a review of current utilization, followed by assessment and recommendations of the functional suitability and adaptability against recommendations in the clinical services plan for future service provision. The master plan is set for completion by January next year.
