The State Government’s plans to merge regional hospitals scrapped, but a significant overhaul is in the works

By Aaron Cordy

BACKFLIP, merger by stealth or a better, more connected health system ensuring Victorian patients can get the care they need. It depends on how you read the spin after the State Government announced they will invest an extra $1.5B into the healthcare system last Thursday, comes on the back of a major overhaul after recommendations proposed by the Expert Advisory Committee.

The State Government will establish Hospitals Victoria, a new agency in the Department of Health led by Siva Sivarajah, who has a wealth of experience in healthcare, including being CEO of Northern Health.

The State Government has accepted in full or accepted in principle 26 of 27 recommendations proposed by the Expert Advisory Committee, as part of its Health Services Plan. But they will not accept the recommendation to forcibly amalgamate Victoria’s health services.

The catch is, the Government will replace Health Service Partnerships with Local Health Service Networks. Bringing together hospitals within geographical regions of Barwon Southwest, Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Hume and Gippsland.

Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Minister for Mental Health, Emma Kealy, said mergers are mergers, no matter how they are disguised.

“If it looks like a merger, impacts hospitals like a merger, then it is a merger,” Ms Kealy said.

“It is illogical to think adding another layer of administrative bureaucracy would ever make Victoria’s health system more efficient. Local jobs and local services will be lost.

The Government maintains this will benefit the health sector.

“As the sister of a nurse and the mum of a daughter who has relied on the life-saving care of our hospitals – my priority will always be patients and their families. We will always support our hospitals – because that’s what Labor does,” said Premier Jacinta Allan.

Despite the claim, there are still concerns in the community about the future of healthcare. Liberal member for Northern Victoria Region Wendy Lovell saw the positives out of last week’s announcement but holds a cautious view.

“I thank the thousands of Victorians who attended public rallies, wrote to members of parliament, and signed petitions to tell Labor that local health services should be kept in local hands and independently run,” said Ms Lovell.

“However local communities must remain vigilant that Labor’s announced five regional health “Networks” are not a steppingstone to amalgamations by stealth.”