The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring public hospitals have the latest vital equipment and engineering infrastructure to continue providing world-class healthcare for all Victorians.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced 38 health services and public health laboratories across Victoria will share in $105 million of new equipment to treat patients and save lives.

As part of the latest round of the Medical Equipment Replacement Program, hospitals will receive new equipment for acute services – including CT scanners, MRIs, X-Ray units and digital retinal imaging capture systems as well as heart equipment such as echocardiogram and fluoroscopy units.

In addition, as part of the latest round of the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program, hospitalswill upgrade important infrastructure such as generators, chillers, emergency lighting, nurse call systems, air conditioning systems and patient lifts.

Surgery facilities will also be boosted through the $20 million Surgical Equipment Innovation Fund, which is investing in items such as endoscopes, ultrasound units, microscopes, monitors, operating tables, anaesthetic machines, lasers and sterilisers.

The funding will also be a major boost for regional Victoria, with 21 regional health services upgrading and replacing 178 items of equipment in operating suites, surgical wards, intensive care units and neonatal areas.

As part of the investments, the Austin Hospital will receive $14 million for upgrades, including a new MRI machine to support services for epilepsy, stroke, neurology, oncology, cardiology and liver transplants.

Hospitals and health services to receive funding include:

Since 2014, the Labor Government has spent more than $585 million upgrading medical equipment and engineering infrastructure at public hospitals and health services.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“We’re supporting our hardworking healthcare workers with the very best hospitals, theatres, surgical tools and diagnostic equipment available, so they can keep doing what they do best – saving lives.”

“It’s all part of our plan to help hospitals meet the record demand they’re facing – and deliver world-class care sooner, and closer to home, for every Victorian.”