Sheed outlines Shepparton’s health priorities to minister

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has written to the Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley to highlight the region’s health priorities ahead of the upcoming State Budget.

Ms Sheed said the main budget asks were the funding for Shepparton’s Early Parenting Centre and Stage 2 of Goulburn Valley Health.

“The establishment of an Early Parenting Centre in Shepparton is long overdue,” Ms Sheed said.

“The Goulburn Valley Health Foundation now has approximately $1.5 million held in trust to contribute towards this important project and the business case is ready to be enacted.

“Shepparton missed out on Early Parenting Centre funding in 2020, but Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Frankston, Casey, Wyndham and Whittlesea were given $123 million.

“New parents have little support available locally after they start their families.

“Such a centre would make the world of difference to parents and allow them to adjust to parenthood in the community instead of travelling to Melbourne at such a busy time in their lives.“

Stage 2 of the hospital redevelopment is a substantial project, but planning has been done to allow for a staged development process, starting with the urgent infrastructure to accommodate sufficient mental health services for our community.

“The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone’s mental health, especially those who had previous mental health conditions, so it has never been more important to invest in supporting our community’s mental health care.

“In regional areas, where resources are stretched, mental health should be at the forefront of health funding in the 2022/2023 State Budget.

“Once funded, the works can begin straight away to give our community the mental health service it desperately needs and deserves.

“These two projects are vital to support our community in the long-term but also as we recover and rebuild our lives in the pandemic era.

“We also urgently need the $25 million Clinical Health School to help grow the workforce to meet Shepparton’s healthcare demand

“We need the Victorian Government to part fund Shepparton’s Integrated Cancer Centre, so our most vulnerable residents can receive the care they deserve in their own community.”

ENDS

Media contact

Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466│elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au