Vic's $2.45b health booster shot

Victoria's health sector is set for a $2.45 billion injection to treat more patients and cut waiting times.

The new funding will allow for an extra 79,000 patients to be admitted to hospitals, an additional 43,000 people treated in emergency departments and reduced waiting times.

Hospitals and ambulance stations will receive $817 million in upgrades.

A dedicated fund of $200 million has also been set aside to rebuild country hospitals, contributing to the Wimmera Cancer Centre, an urgent care centre at Moyne Health Service and planning of the Warragul Hospital redevelopment.

Separate to the additional health spend is $356 million tackling mental health to create better access to services and prevention.

Under a 10-year plan, the government aims to halve the suicide rate through prevention initiatives.

"In 2015, we lost 654 Victorians to suicide - more than double the road toll," Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said on Wednesday.

Mr Foley said, through the targeted prevention program, the state's aim was to "save one life every day".

Funding to cut elective surgery waiting lists and the legalisation of medicinal cannabis were announced ahead of Wednesday's state budget.