Demand continues to reach record levels at Ballarat Health Services Andrew Rowe, Chief Executive Officer said today.

For the 2007-2008 financial year to March Ballarat Health Services has seen unprecedented demand in the Base Hospital emergency department and inpatient admissions.

"In the past five years some areas have seen demand increase by almost 30 per cent," Mr Rowe said.

"We have treated record numbers of patients in some areas and, despite this increase we continue to maintain a high level of quality service."

BHS conducted an analysis of projected totals for the 2007-2008 financial year this week which found:

• Total inpatient admissions were likely to

Ballarat Health Services has opened its $300,000 medi-hotel at the Base Hospital.

The 10 bedroom facility is the first of its kind to be opened in regional Victoria and will free up acute hospital inpatient beds.

"We have refurbished the fourth floor of the administration building on Drummond St in a way that it has a hotel feel, it has modern facilities, a fully serviced kitchen, communal sitting room and great views overlooking Ballarat," acting CEO Steven Jones said.

"We are experiencing record growth and in order to assist with throughput the medi-hotel was seen as a priority, identified in our master planning process last year," Mr Jones said.

The hotel offers 10 single bedrooms with individual televis

Ballarat Health Services (BHS) has today announced that it is set to take charge of Ballarat's public dental clinic as of May 26, 2008.

The clinic, located within the grounds of BHS, has been managed by Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) for the past 10 years.

Andrew Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, said he was delighted to announce that the acquisition of the dental clinic would come under Ballarat Health Services' umbrella.

"There has been a lot of hard work conducted in recent months to ensure that this outstanding achievement has come to fruition," Mr Rowe said.

He said Ballarat Health Services was committed to improving access to dental care for the community and the health service would work hard to reduce currant w