The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to create health jobs in Central Victoria with Bendigo Health reaching the 4000 staff milestone.
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said the $630 million redevelopment of the Bendigo Hospital had been a catalyst for job growth within the health service.
“We built the new hospital for a growing community and to service more patients in the region, instead of taking their operations – and the jobs that go with them – to Melbourne. We wanted the jobs right here in Bendigo and it’s really paid off”.
“The high-class facilities have enabled Bendigo Health to attract a range of skilled staff to provide excellent care for the community,” she said.
Over the past two years Bendigo Health has employed more than 500 staff, including 120 Doctors and 260 nurses, and since 2014, staff numbers have increased at Bendigo Health by 20 per cent.
The State Government has committed $60 million to the Bendigo Hospital Day Rehabilitation Centre as part of its 2019-20 budget, which will also fund a further 15,000 specialist appointments for local patients that will require 20 additional staff.
“We’re investing where it matters, allowing nurses and doctors to do what they do best,” Ms Allan said.
Bendigo Health Chair Bob Cameron said the expanding range of services enabled the health service to attract and retain staff.
“Adding specialised services like Vascular and Retinal surgery, and extending services like oncology and our emergency department paediatric hub, all require specialist staff – and we’ve been fortunate to attract them,” he said.
Bendigo Health Chief Executive Officer Peter Faulkner said the hospital’s growing education program had allowed the health service to start building a workforce of the future.
“Training local people helps us retain staff as many go on to have long-term careers in the organisation,” he said.
“In 2018 we hosted 2405 students from 22 education providers at Bendigo Health for 43,479 student days and our graduate nurse program has doubled in size in each of the past two years.”