Labor has promised to expand the emergency department at the Royal Children’s Hospital so an extra 13,000 children can be treated there each year, as part of a $31 million revamp.
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A new 30-bed ward will also be built at the hospital if the government is re-elected, Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Mr Andrews said the new flexi-ward would be built in an existing but unused part of the hospital that was designed for future growth and would be used to treat children with a range of illnesses, including cancer.
“To get 30 additional beds on a ward and 20 additional treatment spaces in the emergency department for just $31 million, that’s a very significant investment but it is very good value as well,” he said.
The Coalition also made a health-related pledge on Tuesday.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy was in Croydon, promising $700,000 for a community-based early motherhood support group.
Mr Guy said the money, added to an earlier commitment of $300,000 will help The Babes Project, which operates in Croydon and Frankston, establish itself in Melbourne’s west.
The group provides childbirth, education and support programs to women facing crisis pregnancies, providing parenting information, first aid classes, cooking and nutrition classes, budgeting classes and help gain practical knowledge about childbirth and parenting.
“The Babes Project do a huge job supporting young mums,” Mr Guy said.
“It is about support for mums at the hardest time, that is when they’ve just given birth when they need support the most.”
