Broadmeadows electorate
Mr McGUIRE (Broadmeadows) (14:48): (6351) My question is to the Minister for Health. How will the people of the state district of Broadmeadows benefit from the Andrews government’s COVID catch-up plan? A $1.5 billion budget investment will boost surgery across Victoria to record levels, providing care deferred because of the global pandemic. Broadmeadows Hospital will play an important role as one of eight rapid-access hubs to be established in metropolitan Melbourne. These hubs will exclusively perform pain-relieving surgeries such as cataract removals, joint replacements and hernia repairs. The $475 million strategy means more same-day surgeries, increased twilight and after-hours work and theatre improvements to increase efficiency. Victoria’s healthcare workforce will be supported by a package worth more than $80 million to upskill more than 1000 nurses and allied health workers, train another 400 nurses and recruit an extra 2000 highly skilled healthcare workers from overseas. It is great on International Nurses Day, as well, to acknowledge their contribution.