A record number of theatre surgeries and increased hospital admissions were highlights of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group's past year.

Releasing the annual report at the group's annual general meeting, board chair Jo-Anne Moorfoot reassured that work was underway on a new hospital.
Ms Moorfoot said while the board was disappointed this year's state budget did not include the new hospital, planning works were proceeding.
She said the work already undertaken had been quite a "complex task" in converting a farm into a hospital site and the board had worked closely with government departments and stakeholders during the planning stages.
"Plans for necessary road works, services (water and sewer) and power are well underway with site works expected to commence in early 2025," she said.
Federal Government funding originally provided for a chemotherapy day unit was deferred in anticipation of a new hospital.
Ms Moorfoot said the preferred option was to use the funds to improve the supply of accommodation needed to attract and retain clinical staff.
Some of the key statistics for activity during the year included:
Hospital admissions increased by 6.5 per cent to 19,241
Record breaking theatre cases at 3709
Elective surgery cases increased 7.2 per cent to 2996
Birth numbers up 3.3 per cent to 871
Continuing the previous year's trend, Ms Moorfoot said emergency department presentations decreased. She said the Priority Primary Care Centre in Warragul continued to provide great support in relieving the burden on the hospital's emergency department.
Ms Moorfoot said the board was pleased forced amalgamations with other health services were not enforced.
She said while WGHG would look to Monash for future alliances, "maintaining our independence and community connections remains a priority."
Ms Moorfoot said the Warragul Linen Service had struggled to keep up with the growth experienced at Monash Health and the Alfred Hospital, with the ageing plant proving challenging at time.
She said a lot of work had been done with WorkSafe to ensure staff were working in a safe environment, despite limitations of the existing plant and equipment.
Ms Moorfoot said the board and management had invested considerable time and effort to improving the working environment of staff.
She said a key concern identified by staff was safety, and, in an "uncomfortable sign of the times," a 24-hour, seven day a week security service was engaged.
Ms Moorfoot acknowledged the community for its generous financial support of the healthcare group and the many volunteers who contributed their time.