South-West Coast electorate
Ms BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (14:44): (6510) My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. Can the minister outline why Portland District Health was overlooked for funding for new equipment announced last week? The government announced $125 million would be shared among 38 health services and hospitals across the state. The government spruiked how 21 regional Victorian health services would benefit from 178 items of equipment either upgraded or replaced in operating suites, surgical wards, intensive care units and neonatal areas. Moyne Health Services and South West Healthcare in my electorate were included. Portland District Health, however, was a glaring omission. Despite claims from the Premier, services at PDH have diminished over the past 12 months—not grown. The birthing service was suspended for months only to recently return. Ophthalmology has gone. Anaesthetic training has been scrapped and moved to Hamilton. If there was ever a health service that could have benefited from investment, it is Portland District Health, yet it has been ignored again. So I ask the minister to explain to the Portland community why this government has once again abandoned them.