Tech boost for Base Hospital – State budget 2022

PREMIER Daniel Andrews visited the Ballarat Base Hospital after the facility received funding in last week’s Victorian budget.

The State will purchase $6.5 million-worth of robot-assisted surgery equipment for the hospital, and replace radiotherapy linear accelerator technology worth $3.5 million the Ballarat Austin Radiation Oncology Centre.

“Healthcare really is about people, but at the same time, you need the very best equipment… to get the best outcomes for patients,” Mr Andrews said.

“We’re bringing robotic surgery to this part of Victoria, which has never been done before. This is a fantastic advancement, and one I know our surgical community has called for, for a long time.

“That’s about being able to do more surgeries in the local community, that are far more precise and accurate, with quicker recovery times.”

BAROC has two linear accelerators providing radiation therapy to cancer patients, but the machines are ageing at 10 years old and need to be replaced.

“Yesterday’s budget confirms funding for two brand-new state-of-the-art machines… That means less patients having to travel away,” Mr Andrews said.

The Premier also said Grampians Health will benefit from a statewide initiative working to bring 2000 international and ex-pat healthcare professionals to Victoria, and a project to support more than 1100 registered undergraduate nurses to enter the workforce sooner.

“Yesterday’s budget was all about health; 7000 more staff, and 5000 of those nurses. The best way to say thank you to our nurses, doctors, ambos… is with an extra pair of helping hands,” he said.

“It’s the biggest recruitment drive… that we’ve perhaps ever seen in our health system, to treat more patients and provide them with the very best care. Ballarat will be a big winner as part of that.”