He outlined in a statement that the new structure formalised a strong partnership between the services.
He said the four groups had worked closely in a joint approach to help protect their communities during the coronavirus pandemic, which led them to voluntarily explore a more formal and structured partnership.
“Patients from each of the services – at Edenhope, Stawell, Horsham, Dimboola and Ballarat will continue to be able to access quality care from their local facility, with no loss of services,” he said.
“There will be no reductions in staffing levels and staff will continue to work when and where they work today, unless they wish to change.
“The integration will provide local communities with greater access to clinical expertise and options for care closer to home and help safeguard and nurture the career paths of their valued staff.
“Engagement with all local communities will continue under the new health service, including during the service planning process to ensure all health needs for the community are being met.”
Nine of 10 board members on Grampians Health come from the merged health services, with all four services gaining representation on the board.
“The creation of Grampians Health will provide a strong, integrated health service to benefit the health and wellbeing of the local community,” Mr Foley said.
“We’re ensuring all Victorians have access to the high-quality health care and services they need and deserve close to home.
“The community was involved every step of the way – everyone involved can be proud of what Grampians Health brings for the future.”
Ballarat Health Services chief executive Dale Fraser will take on the role as Grampians Health interim chief executive for the next six months. He will work alongside other chief executives Catherine Morley, Wimmera Health Care Group, Andrew Saunders, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, and Kate Pryde, Stawell Regional Health.
Mr Foley has appointed Warrnambool resident Bill Brown to chair the new board.
Grampians Health Board members include Avril Hogan, Edenhope; David Anderson, Heather Pickard and Cora Trevarthen, Ballarat; Rhian Jones and Meghraj Thakkar, Stawell, and Marie Aitken, Nicholas Jones and Anthony Schache, Wimmera.
Place names will remain unchanged at Edenhope, Stawell, Horsham and Dimboola, and Ballarat.
People can gain more information about the transition to Grampians Health online at www.careforourregion.com.au.
Boards of the respective merger partners have welcomed the Health Minister’s decision.
Mr Fraser said staff and the community could expect ‘steady, consistent leadership from day one, with local teams focusing on addressing the evolving needs of COVID-19’.
“Having grown up in Horsham, I’m excited to lead this transition to Grampians Health, a health service with the scale and commitment to shape a better health system for all parts of the Grampians,” he said. “Through ongoing consultation, our staff and communities told us the important issues facing our region. The boards have now acted and coming together is the best way to address this, and together we can co-design better health outcomes for the Grampians community.
“With the support of a dedicated project team with experts from across the four health services, we will continue talking to staff, volunteers, patients and residents to understand local needs, while continuing high quality care.
“This means on day one there will be no significant changes to how each local service is run day-to-day, but over the coming months and into 2022 we will work together to develop a clinical services plan that will address the unique needs of each community.
“I am excited about what we will achieve together.”
Mr Brown, also South West Healthcare chair, said he was honoured to be appointed to a health service with the ambition and capacity to shift rural health outcomes for Victoria.
“I’m a proud rural Victorian and it’s clear to me that we need change to deliver the safe, quality health care rural communities deserve. That’s why Grampians Health is so exciting, as it has the scale, breadth and focus to advance community health and
wellbeing for the long term,” he said.
“The immediate focus will be to ensure high quality care in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support our dedicated staff. We will also follow through on the clear commitments that have been made to staff and residents in Edenhope, Stawell, Horsham and Dimboola, and Ballarat.
“We will start the service planning process in the new year, defining a shared vision and setting out the long-term direction for the future. We’ll map out how to best configure services and identify key health priorities to best meet the needs for the communities covered by Grampians Health, as well as capital investment for
infrastructure at Horsham and Dimboola, Edenhope, Stawell and Ballarat.
“I look forward to working with staff, patients, stakeholders and communities to strengthen services across the Grampians region.”
The new group is working to a list of commitment directives –
• Patients from Edenhope, Stawell, Horsham and Dimboola, and Ballarat will continue to access high-quality care from their local care provider, with no loss of
services.
• There will be no reductions in staffing levels and people will be able to work when and where they work today unless they wish to change. Past and future fundraising will also be tied to the community and the purposes it was raised for.
• Local representation will be maintained and include:
o Community advisory committees for Ballarat, Horsham, Dimboola, Edenhope and Stawell communities.
o Primary care and population health advisory committees for the Wimmera and Central Highlands.
These committees will have representation from either Ballarat, Horsham, Edenhope and Stawell communities.
Any person with a commitment to supporting strong, quality health care in their local community will be strongly encouraged to apply for these committees.
Wimmera board chair Marie Aitken: “This is an exciting day for health care in Horsham and Dimboola. I am delighted to work closely with the new chair and board to deliver on the opportunity presented by coming together as Grampians Health. This will support better services closer to home by investing in our people, seeking to attract a more sustainable workforce and greater access to specialists in Horsham and Dimboola, while reducing our reliance on temporary staff. It will also offer better support for staff in terms of collaboration, shared resources and broader experience.”
Edenhope board chair Phillip Sabien: “By coming together as Grampians Health, we can look at services currently delivered across the region and find ways to support health services available locally, reducing the need for Edenhope patients to travel long distances to access care. We’ll also look at how we can better use our aged care service.”
Stawell board chair Rhian Jones: “Together, the four health services will be one large employer, with the scale to attract and sustain larger workforce pools, to ensure our health service can meet the health needs of our community in Stawell. This could include inpatient, rehabilitation and acute care, greater options for surgical services and the potential for rotating doctors. It is exciting to think what can be achieved locally by being a part of the larger Grampians Health organisation.”
Ballarat board chair Natalie Reiter: “This is a real opportunity for health care in Ballarat, and for the entire region. We will be able to seamlessly share skills and resources across the region, better servicing local communities and strengthening our teams. With joined up planning and stronger advocacy, there will be tangible benefits for health care across the Grampians.”
