Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and Shadow Minister for Health Georgie Crozier have called for the release of the feasibility study on the Swan Hill Hospital upgrade after a tour of the local facility yesterday.
In Swan Hill on Wednesday, Mr Walsh and Ms Crozier also met with the Swan Hill Needs a New Hospital Committee for an update on the community campaign.
Mr Walsh said while the Federal Liberal Nationals Government had committed $30 million to the project, a lack of support from the Victorian Government was stopping the upgrades from going ahead.
“We deserve a modern hospital that’s fit-for-purpose, safe for staff and patients and properly equipped to meet the needs of our community,” Mr Walsh said.
“It was great to have Georgie visit to tour our hospital and hear from locals who are dependent on the health services delivered at Swan Hill.
“One of the issues raised with us was the secrecy around the feasibility study and why it hasn’t been publicly released.
“The Swan Hill Needs a New Hospital Committee expressed concerns that if the Andrews Labor Government fails to make a State contribution, it may put at risk the Federal funding.”
Ms Crozier said releasing the feasibility study would give the community confidence these critical upgrades would be done right.
“It was fantastic to be in Swan Hill to hear first-hand about the impact that out-dated and unsuitable buildings are having on the provision of local health care services,” Ms Crozier said.
“These upgrades will mean the hospital at Swan Hill can better meet local demand and it’s why it’s so critical that funding is not lost because Daniel Andrews refused to act.
“In the lead-up to the 2018 State Election, the Liberal Nationals promised to deliver these desperately-needed upgrades and it’s disappointing the Andrews Labor Government has failed to match it.”
Mr Walsh and Ms Crozier also toured the Cohuna Hospital and attended the official opening of the new Midwifery Antenatal Clinic.
