For some in the south-west, 2016 has been a year of survival. Just ask our hard-working dairy farmers, who have struggled to make ends meet after savage milk price cuts.

This week, we reported an increase in the number of people seeking help from charities in the lead up to Christmas. St Vincent de Paul’s Kevin Wright said the plight of farmers contributed to the rise.

For those enjoying a comfortable lifestyle, spare a thought for those less fortunate, open your hearts and spread the cheer.

We should also spare a thought for our emergency service personnel who will be working this weekend to come to our rescue in times of need. Hopefully we don’t need to call on them but should we end up with a trip to Warrnambool Base Hospital, take a good look around.

The emergency department’s plastered walls will most likely be bursting.

As we revealed today, staff and patients endure less than ideal conditions as the number of people seeking emergency treatment soars. The growth in use is not isolated. For a decade, the hospital has seen patient numbers rise year-on-year. The facility can no longer cope with the volume of patients.

Eye checks are being conducted in corridors, patients are being juggled from cubicle to cubicle depending on the urgency of individual cases.

Staff at the hospital agreed to talk with The Standard in the hope highlighting their issues would help convince the state government to fund a $112 million upgrade of the emergency department and operating theatres.

At the end of a year in which the region’s medical facilities took a giant leap forward with the opening of the South West Cancer Care Centre, it’s easy to see we have more work to do. 

So as we reflect on the unprecedented community campaign to secure the cancer centre, we have another major fight on our hands.

Management and staff of The Standard wish our loyal readers a Merry Christmas, prosperous and healthy new year.