The Liberal National Government will invest $42 million as part of a $65 million package to deliver greatly improved health outcomes for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula.
This is part of the Morrison Government’s Victorian Health and Medical Research Plan.
The Australian Government will invest:
- $32 million for the Peninsula Health-Monash University Health Futures Hub, which will focus as a national centre on ageing, addiction and mental health treatment, and
- $10 million for a Paediatric Emergency Centre at Frankston Hospital
Peninsula Health and Monash University will invest a further $23 million to establish an Australian-first Health Futures Hub with research focused on community issues including aged care, addiction and mental health.
This funding in the local community is in addition to the $24.6 million partnership between Monash University, Peninsula Health and the Alfred Hospital so that Australians with cancer and rare diseases have access to clinical trials no matter where they live, including at Rosebud Hospital on the Mornington Peninsula.
This funding will help deliver new research and treatment programs for our elderly and those with addiction and mental health issues, backed by new state of the art physical and data infrastructure at Frankston Hospital and the neighbouring Monash Peninsula campus for the Health Futures Hub.
This will mean that the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston communities will see the direct benefit from research that is undertaken in their community, for their community.
Frankston Hospital’s Paediatric Emergency Centre project will develop emergency department facilities that are appropriate for families and children, leading to better clinical outcomes.
Federal Member for Flinders, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, said the Health Hub and Paediatric Centre would support our doctors, nurses and brightest researchers to treat patients and help find new breakthrough cures.
“This plan builds on the more than 55 per cent increase in Commonwealth funding to Victorian hospitals, record bulk billing and more than 2,000 new medicines subsided under the PBS,” Minister Hunt said.
“This local investment is the culmination of almost two years of work and development between myself, Chris Crewther, members of Peninsula Health and Monash University.
“We’re not just investing into the future of Australian medicine, but into improved medical services for local families when they need it most.”
Federal Member for Dunkley, Chris Crewther MP, said the funding for Frankston Hospital will greatly improve health outcomes for local families.
“In the last 5 years emergency department presentations to the Frankston emergency department have grown by over 20 per cent,” Mr Crewther said.
“Providing a dedicated emergency department for children will enable the emotional needs of sick and injured children to be met and ensures they are protected from the stressful situations that occur in emergency departments.
“This investment will improve the emergency department experience of children and their families, improve waiting times and ensure that children receive high quality care in the right place at the right time.”
The funding comes as part of the Liberal National Government’s $496 million dollar investment to make the State of Victoria a global leading centre for health, medical research and innovative cancer treatments.
“This investment will be life-changing for so many of our sickest Australians, including many children battling cancer,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“Today’s Health and Medical Research Plan cements Melbourne’s place as a global leader in health and medical research, creating jobs while importantly providing support for Australians patients.”
The Liberal National Government is committed to improve the health of all Victorians and this range of health and medical research centres throughout the state will give our medical staff the tools they need to save lives and protect lives.