Brumby government promises cardiac action

A re-elected Brumby Labor government will install 150 defibrillators in public venues across the state and new life-saving drugs will be administered by MICA paramedics as part of an $8.2 million package aimed at increasing the survival rate of heart attack victims.

The package will also include a further campaign to raise awareness about the early warning signs of heart attacks and strokes, and the installation of 12 lead ECG machines in all ambulances.

Health Minister, Daniel Andrews, said a  re-elected Brumby Labor government would provide a further $1.2 million to support the Heart Foundation and the Stroke Foundation to educate more Victorians on how to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Mr Andrews said the capabilities of all MICA paramedics across Victoria, through a $3.1 million boost, will be trained to administer potentially life-saving thrombolytic drugs to dissolve clots in heart attack patients.

“The risk of death and disability can be reduced by the use of thrombolytics within twelve hours after onset of symptoms, and the shorter the treatment delay the greater the benefit,” he said.

Dementia research boost in Victoria
Premier Brumby, has announced a $15 million boost to support dementia research. Aged & Community Care Victoria (ACCV) chief executive officer, Gerard Mansour, commended the announcement.

“I welcome the focus so early in the state election campaign on key ageing population issues like dementia. Many thousands of Victorians struggle to cope with the pressure of dementia, including early onset dementia. This is a key health issue not only for older people, but also those with early onset dementia and their families and loved ones,” he said.
 
“I am very pleased to see a Victorian government focus on investing in research solutions for this rapidly growing disease. There is certainly a strong case that investment in clinical trials will improve treatment of dementia in the future.
 
“I now call on all political parties to make aged care a strong focus in the election campaign. Today’s announcement is just one example of the massive investment that governments, both Federal and state, need to make into aged care issues and the aged care industry.
 
“I also call on all political parties to announce greater investment to improve the coordination between hospitals and aged care services across the state,” said Mr Mansour.
 
“ACCV calls for greater opportunity for aged care providers to deliver both sub-acute and transition care in partnership with local hospital networks.
 
“The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Report last year highlighted the fact that our older people aged over 65 currently occupy nearly 50% of hospital bed days. This figure will only increase as our population ages dramatically in the coming years.
 
“Today’s announcement is a great example of the type of investment aged care needs to remain sustainable to care for our older Victorians into the future, and we now call for a continued focus on aged care throughout the election campaign,” said Mr Mansour.