Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has reunited with a nurse who cared for him final yr as he made a significant pre-budget announcement this morning.
Mr Andrews introduced $698 million to increase the Higher at Dwelling scheme for 15,000 sufferers to entry home-based care annually, along with telehealth check-ups.
This system permits sufferers to entry nurses, clinicians and allied well being professionals at house.
Mr Andrews paid tribute to a Higher at Dwelling nurse named Julie, who cared for him as he recovered from a "nasty fall" that left him injured final yr.
"Julie isn't just a improbable nurse however somebody who's a buddy of our household now," he stated.
"For one of the best a part of 5 months she cared for me after I was a part of the Higher at Dwelling program.
"That meant the world to me and to (spouse) Cath and to the youngsters to have the ability to be house, to get well, to get properly, to get match and wholesome in order that I might be again right here doing this superb job.
"I can not thank Julie sufficient so I'll thank her once more and all of her colleagues.
"They do superb work, their care and compassion are second to none."
Well being Minister Martin Foley stated this system will liberate the equal of 358 hospital beds by the point this system is embedded in 2025.
"It can require the bringing on of the 300 further workers," Mr Foley stated.
"That is the equal of a complete Footscray new hospital being delivered throughout our healthcare system.
"Along with that, it should guarantee that we scale back the size of stays within the hospital, within the tertiary bricks-and-mortar half."
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An additional $3.6 million may also be invested to proceed the supply of the Transitional Care Program, which assists sufferers with disabilities transition from hospital beds to community-based lodging whereas their NDIS bundle is pending.
Mr Foley stated about $2.1 million will probably be invested in a pilot Aboriginal digital specialist clinic.
The goal of the clinic is to offer culturally acceptable well being care and clinicians throughout rural and regional areas.