Caulfield Hospital
Mr SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Health. Alla from Caulfield was diagnosed with MS in 2000. In the years since, she has used the Caulfield Hospital hydrotherapy pool three times a week with friends as it is the only safe and effective way she and many suffering MS can exercise. This pool has played a vital role in sustaining Alla and many MS sufferers’ physical and mental health, but for two years the pool has been closed. Although initially shut for COVID-19 the pool has not reopened because its facilities simply are not fit for purpose. Due to the complete lack of funding from the current Labor government, Alfred Health has sought to use private donations to fund upgrades, but this has not been enough. Does the government have any plans to reopen this important rehabilitation facility at the Caulfield Hospital, or is it yet another part of that hospital that the government will allow to fall into disrepair?
Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:33): I welcome the member from Caulfield’s question. I had the opportunity to visit Caulfield Hospital only a few weeks ago. I was able to visit with the federal minister for NDIS, Bill Shorten. We were there to meet specifically with the allied healthcare team at Caulfield Hospital to understand the impact that the previous federal Liberal government’s failure to invest in the NDIS has had on many of those at Caulfield Hospital requiring rehabilitation. What we have seen in that hospital is significant bed block from people who are eligible and medically well and need to go home to continue their rehabilitation but, because of the complete failure of the federal Liberal government to provide the NDIS services that people living with disability need, are stuck in hospital. This is causing real problems—
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: The member for Barwon South is warned.
Mr Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this question was about Alla, who cannot use the pool because it is closed due to disrepair and whether the minister will provide funding to allow that hydrotherapy pool to open for Alla and many others that cannot use it because of the lack of funding.
The SPEAKER: A point of order is not an opportunity to repeat the question. The minister was being relevant to funding in relation to disabilities and health services and disability services.
Ms THOMAS: Thank you again. I was just making the point that, having had the opportunity to visit the Caulfield Hospital, I am very aware of the important role that that hospital plays in the provision of rehabilitation services led by fantastic healthcare workers. And let me say this: the healthcare workers there know that there is only one side of politics that will work with them to support them to deliver the very best care.
I will make this final point. Under our government right now $10 billion is being invested in capital projects as we speak. No other government has invested as much in the infrastructure projects that our health system needs. Not only that, not only are we working to deliver first-class health care, we can deliver transport projects as well, unlike those on the other side, for whom it is one or the other.
Mr SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:36): Like many of Victoria’s hospitals, Caulfield Hospital is in desperate need of a complete upgrade. It is old in parts and run down, and some areas are being cordoned off for being unsafe. Why after eight years in office has the Andrews government ignored any meaningful upgrade to this hospital and left local residents and healthcare staff with a substandard hospital that is no longer fit for purpose?
Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:36): I will make the point once again: no other government has invested as much in public health infrastructure as this Andrews Labor government. We are very proud of the investments that we are making and continue to make in our healthcare services. We are building a magnificent new Footscray Hospital, a brilliant new Melton hospital. I have been right across the state to see all of the capital infrastructure projects that are being delivered by our government, and I look forward to visiting so many more.
Mr Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, Melton is a long way from Caulfield, and I ask the minister: is she committing to funding for the Caulfield Hospital, which is in desperate need of upgrades? Will she commit to that funding?
The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Caulfield, it is not an opportunity to repeat the question. The minister was referring to funding for hospitals, and she is being relevant.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much interjecting across the chamber. I will remove members without warning.
Ms THOMAS: The Andrews Labor government will continue to invest in the health infrastructure projects that our community needs. What we will not do is go out and announce funding black holes like those on the other side—half-funded projects relying on the commonwealth. They do not do any of the groundwork, and they will never get built.