Mildura Base Hospital services will grow, says Andrews

PREMIER Daniel Andrews on Tuesday told Victorian Parliament he expected to see services grow at Mildura Base Hospital (MBH).

Mr Andrews, who was in Mildura on Friday to announce MBH would return to public management next year, said $1 million would go towards service planning and a proper consultative process chaired by Member for Mildura Ali Cupper.

“It is my expectation and our hope that we will be able to see services grow at Mildura Base Hospital, because we are of the view that you will always do better for patients if a public hospital is in public hands,” Mr Andrews told Parliament.

Following the success of Ms Cupper’s campaign to return to the hospital to public management, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos applauded her persistent advocacy.

“Ali Cupper has been the most effective member for Mildura in living memory and I congratulate her on her efforts,” she said on Tuesday.

“The announcement was greeted with huge relief and tears of joy from the local community ignored for so long by the Coalition and ineffective local Nats.”

Ms Mikakos also acknowledged other community members behind the 20-year fight.

“I would like to acknowledge the advocacy of local health care staff and local community representatives who met with me during the consultation process and I acknowledge the 20-year-long campaign run by locals to achieve this outcome,” she said.