Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews is expected to visit Ballarat on Friday to make the announcement, which will include a new cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

The lab is used for a variety of cardiovascular procedures and will be the second at Ballarat Base Hospital to help alleviate the number of people requiring the services. It comes weeks after The Courier revealed Ballarat was the worst Victorian region for cardiovascular disease.

Mr Andrews said the current ‘cath lab’ was built in the last couple of years and was nearing capacity.

“In our discussions with Ballarat Health and other health practitioners we’ve been advised that the existing service is reaching capacity, so we want to cater to future demand, and ensure that a greater level of service is provided,” he said. 

“I’m advised the existing cath lab is almost at capacity, given the high demand and size of the area it services.

“When there is no service available, patients have to travel to Melbourne or Geelong to get treatment. 

“When you need urgent heart treatment, every minute counts.” 

BHS chief executive Andrew Rowe said he was pleased with the announcement which was included as one of the key priorities for the facility.

“BHS identified a number of capital priorities which were published by the City of Ballarat,” he said. 

Mr Rowe said the demand had been growing for facilities such as this, however the cause for that growth was from a wide variety of factors, including overall health, ageing population and a growing population.

matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au