By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE Victorian Coalition has promised a $115 million expansion of Casey Hospital if it is successful in this month’s state election.
The Liberal Party’s proposed expansion, which was announced at the hospital by Health Minister David Davis last Thursday, will see the addition of 12 intensive care unit beds, 12 day surgical beds and an acute service tower, with capacity for up to 96 additional beds including 64 acute adult beds.
The expansion would also lead to the introduction of five additional theatres, one additional endoscopy theatre and a new medical imaging department.
It comes after the Opposition announced its $106 million Casey Hospital expansion earlier this month.
On Thursday Mr Davis questioned Labor’s commitment to the hospital, saying Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews had failed to submit any of his $32.56 billion promises to the Treasury to be independently assessed.
“Labor’s unfunded promise for an expansion of Casey Hospital needs to be costed and the scope of this project verified,” Mr Davis said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan defended Labor’s expansion proposal.
“Labor built Casey Hospital and only Labor will deliver the Casey Hospital expansion,” he said.
“When it comes to health, Denis Napthine and the Liberals have failed to deliver for Casey over the past four years.”
The Coalition has also this month committed $40,000 for lighting at an Endeavour Hills football ground.
Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North Amanda Stapledon was joined by Planning Minister Matthew Guy to make the announcement, which will see a $40,000 investment in lighting at Barry Simon Reserve, home of the Endeavour Hills Senior Football Club.
“One of the key projects the club has been hoping to secure funding for is the installation of lights at Barry Simon Reserve, and I’m delighted to be able to announce that a re-elected Napthine Government will deliver $40,000 for this project,” Ms Stapledon said.
“I’ve been working hard to secure this funding and I will continue to work with the club to deliver the facilities they need to continue to grow in the future.”
