Hospital Management

Victoria’s regional hospitals to benefit from $75m funding

The ninth round of the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) will open on 22 November.

The Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) in Victoria, Australia, is set to open its ninth funding round, offering regional health services the opportunity to enhance their facilities and services.

Health Infrastructure Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the latest $75m allocation during a visit to Heathcote Health, urging local health services to apply.

Now totalling $790m, the RHIF has facilitated a variety of projects across Victoria, including theatre refurbishments, the addition of new hospital beds, consulting rooms and equipment upgrades.

Thomas said: “RHIF is all about giving our regional health services the best facilities and the latest equipment to deliver safer, more efficient care in every corner of the state.”

Heathcote Health, a public hospital funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, has previously benefited from the RHIF, receiving more than $6.5m in the last round for the development of its community health hub.

This new facility will centralise community services, featuring a training and education area, clinical appointment rooms, and accommodation for staff and students.

This investment builds upon the $2.6m received in the fifth round for upgrading the main kitchen and laundry, enhancing the work environment for staff.

According to the State Government of Victoria, such investments are crucial for attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in regional areas while simultaneously supporting statewide job creation.

Since its inception in 2016, the Labor Government has funded over 675 projects through the RHIF, marking it as Victoria's largest programme of its kind.

Submissions for the RHIF are due by 10 January 2025 and are open to community health services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

Northern Victoria member Jaclyn Symes said: “The new state-of-the-art Community Health Hub will deliver a modern, one-stop-shop for community health services while also improving the working environment for the dedicated local staff."