The Allan Labor Government is forging ahead with mergers of regional health services, despite claiming there would be no forced amalgamations.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said a report today revealed regional health will be consolidated into five “local health service networks” – Barwon South West, Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Hume and Gippsland.
Ms Broad said: “Labor can call them networks or alliances, but it is still planning massive amalgamations”.
“These mega-mergers will actually create another level of bureaucracy.”
“The use of different terms cannot disguise the fact that services will be consolidated, and key decision making will be taken away from local communities.
Ms Broad said this latest blow to rural and regional health services came amid chaos across all parts of the health system.
“We have seen frequent ambulance ramping across the region, cuts to mental health services, the loss of nurses and long surgical waiting lists, as well as a shortage of GPs
“Rural patients in some cases will have to travel hundreds of kilometres from where they live to where the services are delivered.
“Labor can’t manage money, and regional health services are paying the price.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
