The Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has voiced strong opposition to the Allan Labor Government’s pending decision to amalgamate local regional and rural hospitals across the State. This decision poses a significant threat to the range of vital and lifesaving healthcare options available to our communities.
Ms Benham asked the Minister for Health in her first sitting week whether mandated amalgamations would be ruled out.
The proposed amalgamations will result in:
- Longer Waiting Lists: Reduced healthcare facilities will lead to increased waiting times for essential medical services, exacerbating health issues and delaying critical treatments.
- Loss of Local Voices in Healthcare: Centralising healthcare governance will strip local communities of their ability to influence healthcare decisions that directly affect them.
- Increased Travel for Treatment: Patients will be forced to travel longer distances to access medical care, imposing additional stress and financial burdens, especially on the elderly and those with chronic conditions.
- Local Job Losses: The amalgamation will likely result in the closure of local facilities, leading to job losses in communities that already face limited employment opportunities.
“These plans to amalgamate hospitals will adversely impact rural and regional communities that have already been ignored by the Government,” said Ms Benham.
“Our local hospitals are not just healthcare providers; they are integral to the fabric of our communities.”
The Northern Mallee Regional Integrated Partnerships have demonstrated exceptional collaboration among the Mildura Base Public Hospital, Mallee Track, and the Robinvale District Health Services.
Each entity retains its own governance, allowing them to remain standalone institutions, which is clearly the preferred model. This collaborative approach has proven to be highly effective, particularly benefiting smaller towns in the region.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our health system and Victorians are paying the price.”
