Medical equipment funding a win for patients
The lifesaving work of The Alfred’s Heart Centre team was on show today when Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews visited the hospital.
The Premier, together with Minister for Health Jill Hennessey, was on-site to announce more than $60m in funding for Victorian hospitals – including $2.8 million for a new cardiac ultrasound machine and other medical equipment at The Alfred.
“This piece of specialist equipment is all about making sure patients needing cardiac care can get it faster,” Premier Andrews said. “This is all about giving to the best staff, the best equipment, so they can provide the best care.
“The Alfred is a shining example, globally, of being able to provide care to those who need it where seconds are critical.”
Alfred Health acting chief executive, Dr Lee Hamley welcomed the funding and said great staff need great tools to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
“Cardiac ultrasound machines are essential in the world of heart care,” Dr Hamley said. At The Alfred we perform close to 8,000 cardiac ultrasounds on patients with complex heart conditions each year.
“The Alfred is a major centre for trauma care, transplant and critical care and this equipment gives us fast access to information about the structure and function of a patient’s heart, and insight into how the blood is flowing. The information it provides can be lifesaving.”
Alfred Health will receive $2.8 million for three heart lung bypass units, a cardiac ultrasound, a digital mammography unit, a neurosurgical operating room table and other specialist pathology equipment used for patient analysis, diagnosis and treatment.
