RURAL Northwest Health has pleaded with the State Government to commit $11.5 million to upgrade Warracknabeal Hospital.
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Chief executive Catherine Morley-Nelson said the service was desperate to complete stage two of the hospital's upgrade.
Ms Morley-Nelson said Rural Northwest Health, along with other regional Victorian services, needed more State Government support.
"Of course we have a concern we won't get the funding," she said.
"It can be a battle for regional services to attract the same funding as metropolitan ones."
Ms Morley-Nelson said stage two had been planned and approved and a commitment of funding would see work begin within three months.
"The plans include redevelopment of the acute hospital and emergency services in Warracknabeal and the redevelopment of an old building at the site for community services," she said.
"The money would not just benefit the health service but the whole community.
"We are ready to go with this and could be employing 50 people to build it.
"We know the drought has taken its toll and people are not spending money and that affects business.
"This funding would help that and help Rural Northwest Health provide a better health service with improved efficiencies."
Ms Morley-Nelson said the development had been knocked back for funding several times.
"This is the third year we have attempted to get this funding. The Premier John Brumby was very impressed with the completion of stage one under budget and on time so hopefully he will approve stage two," she said.
"We haven't been given priority in the past few years and we are saying we are a priority, rural Victoria is a priority.
"Yarriambiack Shire is very supportive of this project and has been lobbying on our behalf, as has Wimmera Development Association.
"We want this funding approved in the May budget."
Rural Northwest Health board of management chairman Norm Clyne will raise the issue with Mr Brumby at a forum in Ballarat today.
