Plans for a world-class hospital in Maryborough continue with $100 million being held in contingency by the state government until work is ready to commence.
Maryborough District Health Service chief executive Terry Welch said it was great to have the reassurance of the $100 million recognised in Monday's state budget.
"Right now, we are not ready to spend $100 million," he said. "We are heavily engrossed in the masterplan design (and) within a month we should have that locked down.
"Then we go into design work and feasibility studies for the business case before (the state government) can release the funds.
"From Maryborough District Health Service's perspective, the project is right on track. Everything for us is business as usual and we are looking forward to providing state-of-the-art services for Maryborough."
Before the state election in 2018, both Labor and the Coaltion promised to spend $100 million to create a "world class" hospital in Maryborough.
The hospital will include acute medical and surgery beds, another operating theatre and more consultation rooms.
"The commitment from both sides re-affirmed the project to the community," Mr Welch said. "As soon as we have finished our planning we are confident we will get support via the next budget.
"It's a very detailed process that the treasury expects to be undertaken, and rightly so. We don't want to waste one dollar."
In completing their initial plans, Maryborough District Health Service has consulted with Bendigo Health who recently completed their own hospital project.
"Facilities like Bendigo Health are world-leading facilities from the building, technology platform and the way Bendigo Health ran its ran program," Mr Welch said.
"We are learning and leveraging regularly off them to assist with our program."
In the meantime, MDHS has launched chemotherapy and IVF service programs for its residents.
Outpatient treatments at Maryborough Hospital will commence from July. The service is is in partnership with Ballarat Health Services.
"We have enormous economic impediments for people to access healthcare," Mr Welch said. "We have heard stories of people who can't afford to get to Ballarat. (Our) whole mission has been to bring everything we can (more) local and accessible (for residents)."
In March, Maryborough began an IVF service in conjunction with Ballarat IVF.
"We have been undertaking egg collection here (for) two months," Mr Welch said.
"Again, this is a program that was completely out of reach due to the tyranny of distance plus economic (factors)."
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Chris Pedler
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
