The Victorian Government is encouraging feedback from health practitioners and service providers from across the west to develop priorities for improving health services in the region.
Member for Western Metropolitan, Kaushaliya Vaghela MP said the forum will give local health providers the opportunity to shape health and improve wellbeing in the western region.
The Western Metropolitan Partnership has played a key role in advocating to the Victorian Government for improvements in community health for the Footscray Hospital, Melton Hospital and the Tweddle Child and Family Health Service.
As part of improving health services in the west, the Victorian Government has provided $1.5 billion – the largest ever health capital investment in this state – to deliver the new 504 bed Footscray Hospital on the corner of Geelong and Ballarat roads in Footscray adjacent to Footscray Park Campus, Victoria.
On top of this, the 2019-20 Victorian Budget committed $9 million to refurbish the Tweddle facility at Footscray to improve access to parenting services for all families in the western suburbs. This is part of a $123 million package for new and upgraded early parenting centres across the state.
Targeted health and education interventions will help the western region to catch up to the rest of Melbourne, as well as providing more local jobs
The Western region includes the six local government areas of Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay and has a rich multi-cultural diversity.
The Metropolitan Partnerships offers a way for local communities to speak directly to decision makers in state and local governments, and to advise the Victorian Government of the top priorities for health, services and infrastructure across their region.
The Western Metropolitan Partnership will use feedback from the health forum to inform its annual independent advice to government later this year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Suburban Development, Marlene Kairouz
“Local communities are best placed to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by their region and this forum will give health providers in the western regions a stronger voice to improve their community’s wellbeing.
Quotes attributable to Kaushaliya Vaghela MP, Member for Western Metropolitan
“Good health and wellbeing are vital parts of a healthy and happy life, I’m really excited to be here today to collaborate and find solutions to local health issues with the practitioners and local service providers.”