VICTORIAN Nationals leader Peter Walsh has doubled down on his warning that Mildura Base Public Hospital will be merged with Bendigo Health before next year’s state election.
Mr Walsh first asserted in April that the State Government was planning to merge health services in regional areas under plans outlined in its Statewide Design, Service and Infrastructure Plan for Victoria’s Health System 2017-37.
He said the “alarm bells” were ringing again this week after four health services in western Victoria announced plans to merge and create an overarching medical service for the region’s residents.
Ballarat Health Service, Wimmera Health Care Group, Stawell Regional Health and Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital reportedly asked the state’s health department to approve the proposed merger.
Mr Walsh said the regional health mergers were “happening by stealth”.
“The inside word on this one is the government’s pushing to get (the mergers) out of the way as quick as possible so it’s not an issue at the next election,” Mr Walsh, the Member for Murray Plains said.
However, this was shot down by the Andrews Government on Thursday.
“The government is not amalgamating local hospitals and any suggestion of this is simply scaremongering,” a government spokeswoman said.
“Health services have the right to voluntarily enter into a partnership to better meet the needs of their communities and enhance the delivery of services.
“This is a process driven by the health services themselves and the local community.”
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper hit out at Mr Walsh after he first voiced his concerns about the government merging health services.
“I want to reassure the community of Mildura that Mildura Base Public Hospital is not amalgamating with Bendigo Health,” Ms Cupper said.
“The Nationals have nothing to offer regional communities … so they have to try to frighten and mislead people into voting for them.”
