NEWS DESK
Public surgeries at private hospital Brodie Cowburn brodie@mpnews.com.au
ROB and Bec with their children Maddison and Mathew and their tribute to Shane Warne. Picture: Gary Sissons
Somerville wall for Warne ROB Phillips has always been a cricket fanatic, and plays for French Island. The Somerville business owner was hit hard by the death of his idol, Shane Warne. “We really wanted to do
something to honour Shane”, said Phillips. “My partner Bec suggested a mural”. The tribute now adorns the wall of Rob’s business Phillips Auto Spark in Simcock Street, Somerville.
FRANKSTON Private Hospital is being converted into a public surgery centre. The state government announced the move last week. The hospital is expected to be operating as a public surgery centre sometime next year. The state government hopes that by the time it is fully operational, the hospital will have the capacity to support up to 9000 public patients a year. Deputy Premier James Merlino said that the move would help clear up the backlog of surgeries building up in Victoria because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic has been really tough on everyone, but nothing matters more than the health of our loved ones. We’ve got a plan to make sure every Victorian family gets the care they deserve,” Mr Merlino said “This plan will see record numbers of Victorians get the surgeries they need, while making sure our frontline workforce is supported.” Once converted, the Frankston Private Hospital will make COVID catch-up care its focus. Two new theatres are expected to be constructed by early next year to help the hospital meet demand. In a statement, Peninsula Health confirmed it is working on the project. “We will be working towards transforming Frankston Private Hospital for public surgery, with the capacity to support up to 9000 patients per year once fully operational
in 2023. As such, the facility will be focused on COVID-19 catch up care, meaning that tens of thousands of patients throughout the next four years will get the treatment they need faster and closer to home,” Peninsula Health said. “For Peninsula Health, this will result in expanding our surgical services, providing more options for those in our community awaiting surgery. We have a strong existing relationship with the Frankston Private team and look forward to building closer ties with Frankston Private across our growing surgical services group. We can also confirm that existing patients at both services will be unaffected by this announcement.” Frankston Private Hospital was opened in 2017 after the almagamation of Frankston Private Day Surgery and Peninsula Oncology Centre. It is operated by Heathscope. Frankston Private Hospital was contacted for comment. Health Minister Martin Foley has called on the federal government to spend more on helping Victorian hospitals catch up on surgery delays. “We’re making sure more Victorians get the care they need with a game-changing investment, while the Prime Minister once again fails to show up for Victorians and refuses to go 50/50 on health costs,” he said. “We’ve seen COVID disrupt care and cancel surgeries for people right across the country, while our hardworking nurses and doctors have put everything into caring for the most critical patients.”
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Jump aboard these school holidays for FREE* onboard activities www.searoad.com.au
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Financial incentives for kinder teachers. Giving Victorian children the best start means more qualified teachers are needed across the state. Teachers not currently working in the sector: Join or re-join the sector and be financially rewarded with $9,000. All qualified teachers: Get up to $50,000* on top of your salary for positions at high-priority services. Search and apply for a position that suits you via the new Jobs Board at vic.gov.au/kinder *Terms and conditions apply, visit vic.gov.au/kinder
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Mornington News
12 April 2022