General News
12 July, 2024
Health services merger in limbo
Health services across the Wimmera face weeks of uncertainty before decisions are reached on feared budget cuts and potential amalgamations.
Health services across the Wimmera face weeks of uncertainty before decisions are reached on feared budget cuts and potential amalgamations.
Seven health services in the Grampians region will roll into one, most likely headquartered in Ballarat, if a recommendation from the Expert Advisory Committee is accepted by the Minister.
The state government this week indicated the wait could be lengthy.
“We have only asked hospitals to provide their draft budget action plans based on suggested funding,” a government spokesperson told Wimmera Mallee News.
“Final budgets for health services will not be set for a number of weeks and discussions are ongoing.”
In regard to potential mergers, which could see the state's 76 health services reduced to 12, they said: “We have sought the invaluable insights of all of Victoria’s health services to contribute to the optimal design and governance of the public health service system to ensure all Victorians get the best care possible, no matter where they live.
“We will consider the recommendations of the independent committee and Department of Health - it is important to note that no decisions have been made.”
The merger plan is the second of two options offered by the committee to the Department of Health.
The first is to retain the status quo - a choice heavily favoured by West Wimmera Health Service.
Neither Grampians Health nor Rural Northwest Health would put on record their preference.
In response to questions from Wimmera Mallee News, Rural Northwest Health this week said it would like to reassure the community and its employees that it remained committed to delivering excellent care.
“At this time, the organisation has yet to receive any correspondence from the department pertaining to the outcome of the recent inquiry, its recommendations, and any decision on the future of Victorian health services and their potential regional impact,” a spokesperson said.
“It would be irresponsible of RNH to speculate on the decision when the reality is that we do not know the outcome of the government’s review.
“RNH will work through the decision, when it comes, and will ensure the community is supported and informed regarding any potential changes that may occur.”
A Grampians Health spokesperson said: "Our priority is to provide best possible care for the community, and we’ll continue to focus on making care more accessible to regional Victorians.”
West Wimmera Health Service CEO Ritchie Dodds said he had nothing further to add to a previous statement, in which he thanked communities and employees for their ongoing support and commitment.
He said he had been assured that regardless of the merger decision, this process "will not result in the closure of individual hospitals or sites".
The state government, meanwhile, defended the mergers which led to the establishment of Grampians Health.
The Ballarat-based service was created in November 2021 through the merger of Wimmera Health Care Group, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, Stawell Regional Health and Ballarat Health Services.
Referring to the move as a “voluntary partnership”, a spokesperson said Grampians Health had continued to provide high quality healthcare, which had resulted in “more frontline staff and more patients”.
Among improvements under the Grampians Health banner had been a new and free maternity outpatient clinic in Horsham.