Portland District Health welcomes $1.2M funding boost

A $1.2 million funding boost will improve maternity services, IT infrastructure and perioperative services at Portland District Health (PDH).

PDH interim CEO Karena Prevett today welcomed the funding, saying the improvements would benefit everyone using the health service.

PDH will receive almost $1.2 million for the re-processing of medical equipment in perioperative services, an upgrade of IT infrastructure in the main campus and funding for a maternity redesign masterplan to scope out works to consolidate the maternity spaces and refurbish the environment.

“This is very exciting news for PDH and our community and these projects will deliver improved outcomes for our health service,” Ms Prevett said.

The maternity redesign will play an important role in the revitalisation of PDH’s birthing service and are part of the ongoing work on a midwifery sustainability model.

“Portland District Health recognises the current design and function of the maternity unit is not fit for purpose and the masterplan will seek to scope out works to consolidate the maternity spaces and refurbish the environment,” Ms Prevett said.

This includes birth suites, inpatient spaces, special care nursery and office spaces.

The perioperative services project will involve enhancement of sterile stock storage areas, reprocessing area redesign, and utilisation of both automated and low temperature sterilisation.

PDH Board Chair Peter Matthews said the health service thanked the government for supporting important infrastructure projects for the health service and for the community. “These grants express confidence in our strategic revitalisation as PDH reframes its maternity services, builds its IT capacity as telemedicine is set to play a greater role in rural health services, and strengthen its perioperative services,” Mr Matthews said.

“Interim CEO Karena Prevett and PDH staff are congratulated for their positive attitude to improving health and well-being services offered by PDH,” he added.

The grants were announced at the weekend by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas and Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).

The funding helps to expand capacity, improve safety, quality, and efficiency, and deliver better care to patients, no matter where they live.