Stawell Regional Health will receive a special flu funding support package of $130,315.
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It comes after the state government delivered a $115 million boost to give Victoria’s busy hospitals relief from a massive surge in demand after one of the state’s worst-ever flu seasons.
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said this year’s flu season had resulted in sustained pressure on Victoria’s health system, with more than 14,000 flu cases reported across Victoria so far.
Over winter there has been a surge in people visiting hospitals- In August alone, more than 3,900 people visited emergency departments each day– the largest for August on record.
Ms Pulford said the funding package will support Stawell Regional Health to ensure patients could receive the care they needed.
“Hospitals across Western Victoria have been feeling the pressure this flu season and this extra funding will support them to keep delivering the quality care our patients need,” she said.
“This flu season has hit us hard and I know that local hospitals across Western Victoria have been working overtime to ensure people suffering the flu get the treatment they need.”
Eventide Homes was forced into lockdown after 30 per cent of the residents in the 100 bed hostel were affected by influenza.
Stawell Secondary College principal Nick Lynch said the situation was “crazy”, and noticed it took students “a lot longer” to recover than previous years.
Stawell Regional Health chief executive Liz McCourt said she welcomed the announcement.
“Any additional funding to assist us with meeting the needs of our community is greatly appreciated,” she said.
While the flu peak is coming to an end, hospitals continue to urge patients with less severe illnesses to contact their GP, a pharmacist – including Victoria’s 24/7 Supercare Pharmacies - or NURSE-ON-CALL.