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Day procedures and elective surgery at Rochester and Elmore District Health Service will be affected as part of the Federal Government’s $100million funding cut to Victorian hospitals.

The Federal Government made the decision after a review of each state’s projected population figures suggested Victoria’s population had not been growing at the expected rate.

REDHS overall funding for the financial year is to be slashed by $67,000.

REDHS chief executive Matt Sharp said these cuts resulted in a two per cent decrease in the hospital’s fortnightly payments.

‘‘This will have a major impact on services provided by REDHS and will be felt in the area of elective surgery,’’ he said.

‘‘It will result in a reduction of our planned activity in surgical services within the day procedure unit.’’

He said district residents would have to wait longer to have surgical procedures carried out.

Mr Sharp said there were no plans to close beds or cut staff at this stage.

He said the Federal Government’s decision was unprecedented and limited the hospital’s ability to meet the projected demand and grow services.

‘‘Prior to the commencement of this financial year, REDHS carried out detailed service and budget planning for our service levels across the health service,’’ he said.

‘‘To now be forced to make these changes in the middle of the financial year is unreasonable.

‘‘This approach is unheard of and something we have not experienced before.’’

Mr Sharp said he felt sorry for patients who had to wait longer for their procedures.

He said the cuts would not affect REDHS amalgamation with the Dingee Bush Nursing Centre.

He said he would continue discussions with State Government and would liaise with Member for Murray Sharman Stone and Member for Rodney Paul Weller about the impact the cuts would have on REDHS and the community.