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    Marie Aitken.

Wimmera health-care groups to assess findings on partnership or merger

Wimmera health-care groups involved in partnership discussions are likely to know more about how a western Victorian health-service landscape might look and operate in the next few months.

But whether that involves health-service mergers, a new Grampians regional overseeing health structure or retention of the status quo, remains an unknown.

A consultation report has shown overwhelming staff and community support for Wimmera Health Care Group and Ballarat Health Services developing greater partnerships to enhance and improve services.

But the communications and engagement report also stressed that autonomous management and representation and service provision were also important considerations.



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Wimmera Health Care Group board chair Marie Aitken said the consultations heard from more than 1000 individuals through surveys, workshops, focus groups, feedback forms, community pop-ups and submissions.

“The overwhelming majority of individuals support Wimmera Health Care Group and Ballarat Health Services working together in partnership to improve health services and deliver better health outcomes in the Wimmera,” she said.

“We heard that there are opportunities to improve local services for mental health, maternity, chronic illness support, dental, in-home care, orthopaedic surgery, paediatrics, heart and cancer.”

Mrs Aitken said there was universal support for growing health services in closer partnership between the two organisations.

“Now we need to decide the best way to do this, including the option of creating a new health service to bring our two organisations together,” she said.

“We learned there are some concerns about what a potential closer partnership between WHCG and BHS could mean.

“These include maintaining local leadership and the WHCG name and identity, ensuring local health services are strengthened for both today and the future, and continuing a strong voice for the local community in its health services. We are committed to these priorities being met in any option.”

The full consultation and engagement report is available on WHCG and BHS websites.

Both boards are now considering the outcomes of the consultation report along with independent analysis from contractor Cube and stakeholder-engagement outcomes involving Edenhope and Stawell district communities.

Stawell Regional Health and Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital leaders have also indicated a willingness to be part of partnership developments.

A voluntary amalgamation between Wimmera and Ballarat services, among considerations in partnership developments, has sparked major community and political backlash.

RELATED: Wimmera Health Care Group life governor Bruce Johansen weighs in on hospital partnership idea

 

The entire May 5, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!