$100.3 million Brumby Government baby boom budget boost

Young Victorian families will benefit from a $100.3 million Brumby Labor Government baby boom Budget boost, which will deliver expanded hospital, maternal and child health services – and capacity for 2800 extra births every year.

Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the Brumby Labor Government was investing $30.5 million for 14 new maternity beds and 18 additional special care nursery cots at suburban hospitals, giving more mothers the opportunity to deliver their babies closer to their homes, families and friends.

“Victoria is experiencing a once-in-a-generation baby boom. Last year there were 73,737 births recorded across the State – the largest number since 1971,” Mr Andrews said.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to help young Victorian families get the best possible start in life.

“As these new maternity services show, the Brumby Labor Government is delivering on our clear plan for managing the demands of a booming population.”

Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand said the 2008-09 State Budget’s $54.9 million for expanded maternal and child health services would help mothers, babies, pregnant women and families across the state.

Ms Morand said that as part of the $54.9 million maternal and child health package, the 2008-09 State Budget provided $42.7 million over four years to ensure all babies and young children receive check-ups and health support at key developmental stages up to the age of five.

“A further $12.2 million will provide enhanced maternal and child health services for babies and vulnerable families, particularly first-time mothers who need extra services and support in these early stages,” Ms Morand said.

“A baby can bring so much joy to families, but giving birth can also be a stressful and challenging time for young families.

“The Brumby Labor Government is delivering this funding to ensure young families can access the maternal health services and support they need as close to home as possible.”

The Brumby Labor Government is also providing $8.3 million for antenatal care initiatives, such as community health services in outer metropolitan growth areas delivering programs on quitting smoking, promoting healthy eating and information on support services.

The $30.5 million maternity health building projects in the 2008-09 State Budget are:

• $14 million for Stage 1 of the Werribee Mercy Hospital expansion, to provide an extra eight obstetric beds and four extra special care nursery cots, giving capacity for an extra 800 births a year;
• $5 million for the Frankston Hospital maternity service expansion, to enable an extra 300 births each year;
• $4.8 million for a pregnancy assessment unit at Monash Medical Centre Clayton, enabling an extra 200 births per year, improving antenatal management and increasing the capacity of the postnatal wards and birthing suites;
• $4.2 million to expand the Special Care Nursery at Casey Hospital from six to 20 cots enabling up to 1000 additional births annually; and
• $2.5 million to expand maternity services at Northern Hospital, adding six new beds to the maternity unit, providing for an extra 500 births.

Minister for Mental Health Lisa Neville said the Brumby Labor Government was providing $6.6million to match anticipated Commonwealth funding for new screening initiatives for mothers at risk of post-natal depression.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to address post-natal depression,” Ms Neville said.

Mr Andrews said the Brumby Labor Government was ensuring Victoria’s public hospitals were receiving the extra funding they need to help enable them to deal with the state’s booming population.

“The construction of the new $250 million Royal Women’s Hospital and ongoing planning for a children’s wing at Monash Medical Centre are part of the Brumby Labor Government’s plan to ensure Victorian women and their families continue to get the best in maternity care,” he said.