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Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today announced the 2018/19 budget allocations for all Victorian hospitals – a record $11.5 billion investment.

It means hospitals are set to share in 10 per cent more funding than the previous 12 months – and 31 per cent more than when the Liberals were in Government.

The multi-billion investment delivers major boosts for four of Melbourne’s busiest hospitals, including:

• $466.79 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital – $40.4 million or 9.5 per cent more than the previous 12 months
• $872.66 million for the Royal Melbourne Hospital – $86.34 million or 11 per cent more than the previous 12 months
• $520.06 million for St Vincent’s Hospital – $38.62 million or eight per cent more than the previous 12 months
• $1.456 billion for Monash Health – $149.4 million or 11 per cent more than the previous 12 months

The record funding boost will ensure our hospitals can provide the very best treatment and care to the 1.9 million patients expected to be admitted to hospital and the 1.8 million Victorians who will access emergency departments in the coming 12 months.

All this would be at risk under a Liberal Government – who cut health funding, close beds and privatise hospitals to benefit their mates in the big end of town.

In total, the Labor Government is investing $19.4 billion in Victoria’s health system, including ambulance services, mental health and drug and alcohol services, aged care, community health and other services.

The funding boost will open more beds, offer better specialist care and give families even greater access to a wide range of services.