The Allan Labor Government is marching ahead with mergers of regional health services, regardless of its spin and rhetoric.
A report today revealed regional health will be consolidated into five “local health service networks” – Barwon South West, Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Hume and Gippsland.
Premier Allan has claimed there will be no “forced” amalgamations, but these are mega-mergers which also create another level of bureaucracy.
“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.
“The Minister must now provide full details of its $1.5 billion health funding commitment and its implications for Victoria’s budget and publicly release its secret health services plan,” said Ms Benham.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage the public health system and Victorian families are paying the price.
The Labor Government will establish Hospitals Victoria – another new agency in the Department of Health with a CEO who reports directly to the Health Minister.
“It is illogical to think adding another layer of administrative bureaucracy would ever make Victoria’s health system more efficient. Local jobs and local services will be lost,” said Ms Benham.
