Date: 2008-05-16
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A $4.8 million pregnancy assessment unit at Monash Medical Centre will help hundreds of new mums with difficult pregnancies. Announcing plans for the new assessment unit at Monash’s existing maternity facilities, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the development would allow the hospital to accommodate an additional 200 births each year.
(Media-Newswire.com) - A $4.8 million pregnancy assessment unit at Monash Medical Centre will help hundreds of new mums with difficult pregnancies.
Announcing plans for the new assessment unit at Monash’s existing maternity facilities, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the development would allow the hospital to accommodate an additional 200 births each year.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to deliver quality health services for Victorian families,”
Mr Andrews said.
“This new unit will allow for the assessment of women who are having complicated pregnancies, enabling antenatal monitoring and care in a purpose-built setting.
“It will also free up the birthing suites that are currently being used for assessment purposes, allowing better use of the entire maternity facility.”
The new assessment unit will consist of four treatment chairs, two patient beds and two multifunction rooms that can be used for either extra delivery suites or for assessment, depending on demand.
Mr Andrews said the facilities were part of a $100.3 million Brumby Labor Government baby boom Budget boost, which will deliver expanded services and capacity for 2800 extra births every year.
“Victoria is experiencing a once-in-a-generation baby boom. Last year there were 73,737 births recorded across the state – the largest number since 1971,” he said.
“That’s why the assessment unit I’m announcing today will be such a marvellous resource for local mums.”
Mr Andrews said the boost for local maternity services comes on top of record funding for Victorian hospitals.
“Since 1999 this Government has almost doubled funding to our health services, which has seen more than 61 hospitals and aged care facilities rebuilt or upgraded and more than 8000 extra nurses employed.
“And Monash Medical Centre has shared in this record funding, receiving $576.7 million in 2007/08, a 101 per cent increase since 1999.”