By STEFAN BRADLEY

 

GIPPSLAND health services will work together more closely under a new network, with the intention of improving care for locals and providing more opportunities for them to receive care close to home.

Statewide, on July 1, the 12 Local Health Service Networks officially commenced.

Each health service largely operates as usual, retaining its chief executive, board and identity.

The state government said the move would support improved cooperation between local services, ensure doctors and specialists are available to care for patients closer to where they live, deliver clearer pathways in and out of hospital, and support better waitlist management across a region.

The Gippsland Local Health Network brings Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH) together with Central Gippsland Health (CGH), Yarram and District Health Service (YDHS), Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Omeo District Health, Orbost Regional Health, South Gippsland Hospital and West Gippsland Healthcare Group

Notably, Bass Coast Health (Wonthaggi) and Gippsland Southern Health Service (Leongatha and Korumburra) are part of the metropolitan Bayside Local Health Network.

The state opposition previously labelled the plans “amalgamation by stealth”, but the government has disputed this.

Forced amalgamation of the state’s health services was one of the 27 recommendations proposed by the expert advisory committee, as part of the government’s Health Services Plan, but this was rejected by the government. All other 26 recommendations were accepted in full or in principle.

The state government said each network would identify and plan improvements to address the health needs of their local communities within a geographical region.

“Victoria’s health system is one of the best in the world, and these reforms will keep us on track to deliver even better patient care through a reformed health system that is better integrated and connected, at the same time protecting the local services we know Victorians trust and rely on,” Health Minister Marry-Anne Thomas said.

There are six networks in regional areas and six in metropolitan Melbourne.

Earlier this year, Latrobe Regional Health Chief Executive, Don McRae moved to reassure health services would not be compromised.

“It’s about making sure we are all on the same page, pulling in the same direction working for people in our community,” Mr McRae previously told the Express.

“The (Gippsland) network will be tasked by the government to take on a certain role within the region and that will be to facilitate access and flow across the region and apply some quality improvement initiatives and opportunities, and to develop a workforce plan for the region to make sure we are bringing the right people into the region to be able to provide care for our communities, and to look at opportunities to share services.”

The network groupings were determined following extensive consultation with health services, with consideration given to population growth, community need, clinical capability and distance between services.

State Nationals leader and Member for Gippsland, South Danny O’Brien previously said Gippslanders should be very concerned about the impact the new health networks will have on local services.

“We have been warning for some time that Labor wanted to merge Victoria’s health services into a handful of organisations. We’ve seen it today now with a new Gippsland network combining eight different services into one network,” he said at the time the new networks were announced.

“While we are always keen to see efficiencies and sharing of resources across our health services, I am very concerned that this will actually lead to diminished local decision making in our rural and regional hospitals and ultimately a reduction in services.”

Mr O’Brien said Gippsland health services would be overshadowed by larger hospitals.
“What guarantees will the government provide that this won’t lead to services and funding being sucked back into the city?” he said.

“In simple geographic terms how Leongatha and Korumburra fit in with ‘Bayside’ defies logic.

“I am very concerned that the government is proceeding with its merger plan by stealth, which will see local services diminished and local control taken away from our hospitals.”