MILDURA MP Jade Benham did not raise hospital mergers with the leaders of the region’s three health services before demanding in Parliament that Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas guarantee they would not occur.
During Question Time on Wednesday, Ms Benham sought a commitment from Ms Thomas that Mildura Base Public Hospital, Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) and Robinvale District Health Services (RDHS) would retain independent boards and governance and would not be merged.
Mildura Base Hospital CEO Terry Welch said he has had no discussions with Ms Benham about that subject.
“Absolutely nothing about mergers, we’re celebrating the work of the Northern Mallee Integrated Partnership and certainly that’s what we’re focused on, nothing to do with the politicking of mergers or anything else,” Mr Welch said.
MTHCS interim chief executive Tracey Wilson said she would be happy to discuss the subject with the MP.
“I would welcome any opportunity to meet with Jade Benham, and have a conversation with both the board chair and myself if she wanted to do that around the plans and the future direction of MTHCS,” Ms Wilson said.
The board chair of RDHS, Jessica Curran, said “we have not engaged in any formal discussions with the Victorian Government or the Department of Health on a voluntary amalgamation with other health services.”
The three health services have been “partnered” since 2021, collaborating with each other through the Northern Mallee Integrated Partnership.
Mr Welch said “yes, we’re the biggest provider, but it’s not about taking over, it’s about supporting and integrating systems where we can, working together where we can, and we certainly are doing that. It’s a very good partnership the Northern Mallee has.”
“It’s about bringing services back, it’s about strengthening the services locally where we can through technology, through resources.
“What we’ve been able to do with that through our partnership across the Northern Mallee is include the potential for radiology to return to Mallee Track and Robinvale.”
A supplementary question was raised by Ms Benham in Parliament, requesting a guarantee from the State Government that childcare and aged care services in Ouyen would not be lost.
Ms Wilson reiterated that there was no intention to reduce childcare and aged care services run by MTHCS in Ouyen.
“There are efforts underway assessing potential expansion of MTHCS’ range of services and strengthening partnerships remained vital to MTHCS’ ongoing ability to plan and deliver the best health and community service outcomes for our population,” she said.
In a media release following Question Time, Ms Benham doubled down on the merger debate.
“I fully support regional partnerships to enable Mildura Base Public hospital, MTHCS and RDHS to work together to offer additional services to our smaller communities,” Ms Benham said.
“However, local boards must be maintained to ensure that the service delivery meets the needs of the communities they serve.”
“I will continue to advocate for our towns to ensure they can access the facilities and services they need, when they need them.”
Mr Welch said that “I think the way we collaborate demonstrates how public health works in 2023”.
“I think it’s a very long bow to draw to think anything more than that. We’ll let politics be politics, [and] we’ll continue to focus on service delivery,” he said.
Ms Wilson said if there was genuine concern about the future of MTHCS in the Ouyen community, locals should attend this month’s AGM.
“We’ve got our annual general meeting coming up on February 24, I’d encourage the community to come along and hear what MTCHS has achieved in the last 12 months or so, and what they’re planning to do in future, and I hope that that will allay any fear they have.”
