The latest figures come as The Standard revealed Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos made no commitment to funding stage two of the hospital's redevelopment, which includes a new emergency department and operating theatres.

The hospital board has written to Premier Daniel Andrews seeking a meeting to discuss the project.

South West Healthcare chief executive officer Craig Fraser said patient numbers had increased from 9540 between July 2015 and January 2016 to 13,979 during the same six-month period in 2018/19.

He said more people were accessing the hospital and services from across a wider area, as well as the cancer care centre. 

"That is putting pressure on our facilities, especially the ageing infrastructure," he said.

Mr Fraser said state government funding had grown over the years as more people came to the hospital. 

"We have been growing our skill base and professional services such as urology, plastic and ear, nose and throat," he said.

"It's a great outcome for south-west Victoria. 

"We are the regional hub (for health services) before Geelong and Melbourne. 

"There has been an increase in trauma and injury but emergency department presentation has not greatly increased. There are more complex patients are coming in. It is important for us to provide these services for the community."

He said patients came from as far away as Mount Gambier, and added it aided in recovery for people to be based closer to their family and friends.

Board chair Russell Worland said the committee had written to Ms Mikakos after she was elected in December requesting a meeting, before writing to Mr Andrews in January.

"The board is very keen for early engagement with the Premier and the Health Minister," he said.

"We want to discuss the status of the project." 

Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said the Health Minister had snubbed the community and the "hard working nurses and doctors by failing to recognise there was an urgent need for an upgrade at the hospital".

“One of the first things I did after being re-elected was write to Minister Mikakos and invite her to visit the hospital,” Mrs Britnell said.

“I wrote to her on December 6 - 82 days ago - so far she has completely ignored that letter."

Mrs Britnell said the government had dragged its feet on the issue for the past four years.

“It’s all well and good to have plans drawn up – but they are useless without government funding to get on and rebuild the hospital,” she said.

“Extra nursing staff is also great, but the hospital needs adequate facilities for them to work in and to be able to cope with ever increasing demand. The minister must visit and must make this redevelopment project a priority. 

"Demand for services at the hospital is increasing year-on-year, but the facilities are not built to cope with the amount of people now visiting the hospital for treatment.”

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