Labor pledges hospital upgrade

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE STATE Government will give Dandenong Hospital’s Emergency Department a $25 million makeover if re-elected this month.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Daniel Andrews made the pre-election pledge last Thursday and said the $25 million would improve emergency response services at the hospital.
He said the upgrade would ensure separate emergency services for children and more appropriate emergency facilities for mental health patients.
“Victoria is home to emergency departments that have been judged by the Federal Government to be the best in Australia due to the investment over the past seven years,” Mr Andrews said.
But Liberal Party candidate for Dandenong, Cameron Nicholls, said it was ‘a shame’ the promise came only three weeks before a state election.
“Let’s hope Labor doesn’t do a backflip on this promise,” he said.
“It’s good news for Dandenong, because the redevelopment of Dandenong Hospital was originally started by the Kennett government.”