The Victorian Coalition has pledged $75 million to redevelop the 160-year-old Daylesford Hospital in western Victoria.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy was joined by shadow health minister Georgie Crozier, Member for Ripon Louise Staley, and Liberal candidate for Macedon Dominic Bonanno to make the commitment outside the hospital this morning.
"Seventy-five million goes a long way in a hospital like Daylesford, whether it's for dialysis, respite, aged care, a whole range of facilities this hospital needs," Mr Guy said.
The funding would come from the Opposition's plan to shelve the government's $35 billion Cheltenham to Box Hill rail line.
"Re-prioritising money from that railway line to this hospital is going to save lives, it's going to change people's lives," Mr Guy said.
The redevelopment would see Central Highlands Rural Health's hospital master plan come to life, including a new 18-bed acute ward, improved disability access, increased space for dialysis and expanded aged care.
Community welcomes pledge
The funding promise follows a long-running community campaign to overhaul the hospital.
Earlier this year, residents raised $100,000 in eight weeks to fund the master plan.
Lesley Hewitt, who is the committee chair of the Daylesford Hospital Upgrade Community Campaign Committee and Hepburn Shire councillor, described today's announcement as "fabulous".
"The community is right behind this; the hospital has been neglected for 20 years and we're so grateful and pleased."
Government casts doubt over staffing
Last month, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the government had no plans to allocate new funding to the project ahead of the election.
Through its Regional Health Infrastructure Plan, $4.5 million has been committed to upgrading the hospital's operating theatre but work is yet to begin.
In a statement today, a government spokesperson said the Opposition "hasn't bothered to consider how to staff a hospital".
"Matthew Guy wants to build an empty shell which won't be able to treat a single patient without the adequate number of highly trained staff required," the spokesperson said.
"We know the Liberals' track record of slashing health services and cutting staff — they went to war with health workers and they'll do it again."
Mr Guy said a plan for staffing would be out "soon and long before the election so that Victorians have a clear choice".
Coalition accused of 'empty promises'
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said it was an "empty" pre-election promise by the Coalition.
"This announcement today has no start date, no finish date, and most importantly no plan for staffing," Ms Thomas said.
"Right now our health system is facing unprecedented challenges and those challenges are a result of the staff availability."
Ms Thomas rejected suggestions the government was becoming complacent in the long-held Labor seat.
"[The operating theatre upgrade] work has not commenced but it is funded … and will be underway as soon as possible."
