Labor Pledges $1.5 Billion to Cut Emergency Wait Times in Victorian Hospitals

Victorian Labor has pledged to slash emergency wait times in hospitals with a $1.5 billion commitment to expand emergency departments and increase the health workforce.

The opposition leader has made a series of announcements in response, including a promise to fund 25,000 extra planned surgeries a year through private hospitals.

Expanding Emergency Departments

Premier Ben Carroll has promised to expand a dozen emergency departments by 25 per cent in a bid to reduce wait times. The expansions would slash waits by up to 20 per cent at five hospitals in Melbourne, including the Alfred, Austin and Royal Children's, as well as 10 regional hospitals, including Bendigo and Ballarat Base Hospital.

“We've waited in an ED with our daughter many times — nothing's more stressful,” Mr Carroll said in a statement.

Increasing the Health Workforce

Labor plans to hire another 1,500 health workers, including 750 nurses, and roll out an extra 150 hospital beds. The government said most beds will open next year.

The funding commitment was welcomed by the Victorian Branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA). AMA Victoria President Simon Judkins said investment in emergency care was urgently needed.

“We welcome this significant commitment to increasing emergency department capacity and reducing the unacceptable delays many Victorian patients are currently experiencing,” Dr Judkins said.

“The fact is our emergency departments and the doctors and medical staff working in them are under enormous pressure, and this additional investment is urgently needed,” he said.

Opposition Response

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has also made a series of announcements in response, including a promise to fund 25,000 extra planned surgeries a year through private hospitals.

Ms Wilson has also committed to funding 10 new or expanded “exit lounges” at hospitals to free up beds, cut wait times at emergency departments and stop ambulance ramping.

One Nation leader Warren Pickering has also made a pledge to clear the HECS debt of health graduates who spend five years in regional Victoria.