A $182,000 funding boost will also contribute to an upgrade of IT infrastructure across medical services within Ballarat Health Services.

The majority of yesterday’s funding announcement, which comes from the Rural Capital Support Fund, will go towards an upgrade of bathrooms in aged care facilities. 

Mr Davis said part of the reason for the upgrades was the growing population in Ballarat and surrounding areas. 

“Ballarat Health is a very important service that has grown from the way we thought of the Ballarat Base Hospital to the way we think of Ballarat Health today, a very important regional health service provider,” he said. 

“The new cancer services, the helipad that is coming in, the additional bed capacity is all going to be important in cementing it as a really critical regional supplier of health services.

“The upgrade to IT infrastructure will better connect computer software across Ballarat Health Services with high-speed wireless technology.”

Mr Davis also announced that construction company H Troon had been awarded the contract to build the next stage in the hospital redevelopment. 

Mr Davis started the day off with a stop at the Ballarat library to announce a free training program to help senior citizens to become more tech-savvy.

The program will be rolled out across the state and is expected to reach more than 6000 seniors.

matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au