Photo: Daily Post

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today officially opened the expansion of the nursery which is managed by an expert team of doctors and nurses from the Royal Women’s Hospital.

The Andrews Labor Government delivered $1.59 million to expand the special care nursery from six to eight cots, boosting Sandringham Hospital’s capacity to deliver neonatal care to the most vulnerable newborns.

This means better and safer care for babies and modern facilities for staff. The extra space also allows babies to stay closer to home and their families in Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs.

The extra two cots are a welcome addition to Sandringham Hospital’s maternity ward, which also has 20 beds, four delivery suites, breastfeeding support, gynaecology services and paediatrics.

The Royal Women’s Hospital began managing maternity services at Sandringham Hospital so locals could access first class care at the Women’s closer to home. It also means there are better links for Sandringham staff to access specialist services, education and training at the Women’s Parkville campus.

The Labor Government’s Victorian Budget 2017/18 includes $1.67 billion to support hospitals to meet demand and provide the high quality care Victorian patients deserve and need, when and where the need it.

This includes $428.5 million in new hospital upgrades and equipment to give our hardworking doctors and nurses the modern facilities they need to save lives and keep Victorians healthy.

The Royal Women’s Hospital will receive $193.89 million in Labor Government funding this financial year, up by $4.08 million on the previous year. Alfred Health will receive $818.3 million in funding this financial year, up by $48.2 million on the previous year.