Frequently asked questions

Why is the Victorian Government informing the community about our health services?

There's a lot happening to health in country Victoria and we think Victorians should be able to access this information more easily. This will allow you to be better informed about:

• how your health system works
• what services are available
• how to use your health services more effectively.

What does the information campaign include?

We are using TV advertisements, a website and a suite of fact sheets to help inform people living in country Victoria about some of the health service improvements in their area. People who don’t have internet access can call 1300 366 356 and an information kit will be mailed to them. The information campaign uses real people with real stories, talking about real improvements to health in their area.

How is our health system changing?

We are:

• providing better equipment and technology
  Technological advances in our hospitals have increased treatment options for people living in country Victoria.

• providing more services close to home
  More services in rural Victoria are being provided closer to where people live. For example cancer services, previously only available in Melbourne and Geelong, are now available in Ballarat, Bendigo and will soon be available in the La Trobe Valley.

• rebuilding and upgrading hospitals
  Over 40 rural hospital redevelopments. For example Kyneton now has a new purpose-built hospital with an emergency department, operating suite, dialysis services, maternity services, and an aged care facility – all under the one roof.

• recruiting more health professionals to country Victoria
  There are a number of initiatives to get more medical professionals with more skills, to more places across the state. F or example, a rural clinical school has been established in Bendigo to draw medical students to undertake part of their training the Bendigo Hospital.

How much money is being spent on improving health services in rural Victoria?

$550 million has been invested in upgrading health services since 2000. The upgrades have included new capital projects and new equipment.

Where can I find more information about:

• hospitals?
  The Your Hospitals website www.health.vic.gov.au/yourhospitals provides information on Victoria’s public hospital system and reports on individual hospital performance for elective surgery, emergency departments and patients treated.

• maternity care?
  The Having a baby in Victoria website www.health.vic.gov.au/maternity can help you decide the best pregnancy care for you.

• cancer?
  The Cancer Initiatives website www.health.vic.gov.au/cancer provides information and links about cancer initiatives.

• radiotherapy?
  The radiotherapy website www.health.vic.gov.au/radiotherapy provides a list of places that offer radiotherapy services in Victoria.

• aged care?
  The aged care website www.health.vic.gov.au/agedcare provides information about aged care programs, policies and services for health professionals and the public.