Health & WELLBEING

At the moment, Northcote is served by hospitals in the inner city and Heidelberg. Since the closure of the Preston & Northcote Community Hospital in 1999 and the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital in 1996 by the Kennett Government, local primary health services have been limited.

Improving health services in Northcote is a priority for me and I will continue to fight to deliver more investment into tailored health, mental health and community services. I want Northcote locals to have access to the public services they need, close to home.

INVESTING IN OUR HEALTH NETWORK

As we continue to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever that we prioritise the health and wellbeing of our communities.

That’s why we’re investing in building and improving our health networks to ensure we can meet the unprecedented levels of demand we’re seeing across the country.

As your local MP I am working to make sure our suburbs have the services and supports they need to keep safe and well - and am thrilled that we now have a dedicated Respiratory Clinic in Northcote.

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 has delivered more than $7.1 billion to upgrade and build more hospitals, improve local health services, and deliver the highest quality of care for more Victorians.

This includes more than $759 million in funding for more paramedics, more triage care and support staff for Ambulance Victoria, as well as targeted funding to improve flow in our busy emergency departments.

We are also delivering a $91 million boost for community based health services, including dental services, cancer screening, and maternal and child health appointments including catch up care specifically for Aboriginal Victorians.

Plans are also coming together for a $650 million Institute of Infectious Disease. The Institute in Parkville will create the largest centre of expertise in the Indo-Pacific region and will establish Victoria as a global leader in understanding infectious disease.

Another $6.5 million will help expand women’s reproductive health hubs and meet growing demand across 12 different women’s health services.

Delivering on another election commitment, the Labor Government will help more Victorian families experience the joys of parenthood, by helping to cover the costs of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other fertility care services with a $70 million investment.

These investments will make sure our hospitals and local health services can keep doing the most important job there is: looking after our loved ones.

BUILDING A BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM

We all know someone who has struggled with their mental health - a parent, a child, a partner, a mate. Yet for too long there simply hasn't been a system there to support them when they need it.

That is why Labor is delivering a complete transformation of our mental health system - the biggest social reform in a generation.

Our $3.8 billion investment will build a system that is truly responsive - with dedicated services for adults, infants, children and young people.

Locally, I'm working to make sure our suburbs benefit - including pushing for more local mental health services as well as specialised perinatal and family health services.

More support will also be there for vulnerable residents as we deliver extra funding across family violence prevention, social services and housing - including a historic $5.3 billion to build more homes for those in need.

If you are experiencing mental illness or know someone who is, please know that you are not alone and help is available. Head to my MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS page for resources and links to a network of people and services who are here to support you.