By Eleanor Wilson
Scrapping vaccine mandates, building new hospitals and diverting health services away from emergency departments are among the solutions to fix the burden on Casey Hospital, according to State election candidates.
New statistics from the Victorian Agency of Health Information (VAHI) shows emergency wait times, ambulance transfers and elective surgery wait times at Casey Hospital are slowing improving.
But the data shows the health remains under significant pressure.
The State Government said continued pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic, a busy flu season and record demand has seen sicker patients presenting and staying longer in hospitals, including at Casey.
“While every effort is made to prioritise those with the most critical need, we recognise how stressful it can be when faced with longer than expected wait times,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.
To address the issue, Labor is investing $12 million into the Pandemic Repair Plan to assist with the health crisis, including funds to double Casey Hospital’s emergency department, with a dedicated paediatric space for children and their families.
The duplication will support an additional 52,000 presentations every year, the spokesperson said.
Casey Hospital is also one of 12 major hospitals to receive additional specialist staff to improve patient flow and help progress patients along their care pathway, including access to planned surgery.
The government said it would also undertake a $510 million to $560 million redevelopment of Monash Medical Centre and up to $295 million to upgrade Dandenong Hospital if re-elected.
On the other side of the fence, Opposition leader Matt Guy and Berwick Liberal candidate Brad Battin this week announced an elected Liberal Government would focus its assets on Casey hospital, pledging $500 million to a brand-new Casey Hospital campus in neighbouring Pakenham.
Funding for the hospital would be assisted by the LNP’s plan to shelve the Andrews’ $35 million Suburban Rail Loop.
“Pakenham is the major town centre, it’s that point between the Casey Hospital and the new Warragul Hospital,” Mr Guy said.
“It’s the population midway point so it can serve the growing communities.”
While the major parties have committed to splashing cash on new facilities , Freedom Party candidate Kerry Haupt said she believes vaccine mandates contributed to the increased pressure on the hospital.
“Having previously worked at Casey Hospital, l know the staff are excellent and truly care about their patients,” she said.
“Unfortunately, staff were dismissed due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
“Fully vaccinated staff are sent home after producing positive COVID-19 tests. Increased sick leave results in wards being left short staffed and patient admissions delayed.”
Ms Haupt also believes adverse reactions to the Covid vaccine and a long elective surgery wait list due to extended lockdowns have contributed to extra pressure on the health system.
The Freedom Party believes all staff sacked due to the vaccine mandate should be reinstated to help meet the demand on the health system.
Ms Haupt said a shadow ministry that is focused on “utilising proven methods such as vitamins, exercise, lifestyle and nutrition” should be implemented.
Berwick Greens candidate Hayley Perry said her party aims to focus on treating demand outside of emergency departments to alleviate pressure on hospitals.
The party has committed $1.3 billion to aged care, disability and rehab beds, so that “patients who don’t need to be in hospital anymore but aren’t well enough to go home have somewhere to go, freeing up beds for patients arriving in ambulances”, Ms Perry said.
The Greens would also scrap the Labor’s Government’s public sector wage cap to raise wages for teachers, mental health workers and other public sector workers.
It has also pledged $500 million to employ more GPs and nurses to assist patients outside of hospitals.
Funding 500 more psychologists and psychiatrists in schools and public clinics is the final health commitment from the Greens, who said the policy would allow “more people with mental health issues [to] get support before they end up in emergency”.
