The Ouyen community is growing increasingly concerned that the Minister for Health is deliberately restructuring the board of the Mallee Track Health and Community Service to pave the way for consolidation.
Ms Benham raised the concern in Parliament with the Minister for Health, Mary Anne Thomas walking out while the Member for Mildura was speaking.
This comes as part of the Allan Labor Government’s broader agenda to merge regional health services, despite its public spin and rhetoric. A recent report revealed that regional health services across Victoria will be consolidated into five “local health service networks” – Barwon South West, Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Hume, and Gippsland.
The Premier has claimed there will be no forced amalgamations, but these mega-mergers, which introduce another layer of bureaucracy, tell a different story.
The Ouyen community fears these changes will lead to the loss of local jobs and services, further undermining the quality and accessibility of healthcare in the region.
“It’s time for the government to come clean about its health service plans, we need transparency and assurances that no health services will be amalgamated in the future,” said Ms Benham.
The Allan Labor Government can’t manage money, can’t manage the public health system effectively and Victorian families are paying the price.
