Network groupings for a state’s 76 public health services have been unveiled but a cloud continues to hang over future funding levels.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas revealed the final carve-up on Friday after the Victorian government announced its hospital networks plan in August.
The 12 geography-based local health service networks will begin operating from July 1 and are expected to share support services and back-office functions to reduce duplication.
A state government-commissioned expert review highlighted the need for “fundamental change” to the public health system and recommended some regional health services be forcibly amalgamated.
But Ms Thomas reiterated the groupings, determined following consultation, would not involving mergers.
“Every health service will retain its own identity, its own board of management and so on,” she told reporters.
“But of course we want our health services to work better together and where it makes sense to look at back-office operations and combine those, then we would welcome that.”
The networks were first announced alongside a $1.5 billion, one-year funding lifeline for hospitals following backlash at being told to tighten their belts.
Ms Thomas declined to say how much money the networks would save the cash-strapped state budget, declaring they were designed to deliver improved patient care.
Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier, who has previously dubbed the plan “amalgamations by stealth”, called for Labor to give hospitals clarity on their funding beyond this financial year.
“While Labor focuses on paperwork, patients are left waiting,” she said.
LOCAL HEALTH SERVICE NETWORKS BY REGION:
BARWON: Barwon Health, Colac Area Health, Great Ocean Road Health, Hesse Rural Health Service
BAYSIDE: Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health
EAST METRO and MURRINDINDI: Alexandra District Health, Eastern Health, St Vincent’s Health, Yea and District Memorial Hospital
GIPPSLAND: Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Central Gippsland Health Service, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Omeo District Health, Orbost Regional Health, South Gippsland Hospital, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Yarram & District Health Service
GRAMPIANS: Beaufort & Skipton Health Service, Central Highlands Rural Health, East Grampians Health Service, East Wimmera Health Service, Grampians Health, Maryborough District Health Service, Rural Northwest Health, West Wimmera Health Service
HUME: Albury Wodonga Health, Alpine Health, Beechworth Health Service, Benalla Health, Corryong Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Kyabram District Health Service, Mansfield District Hospital, NCN Health, Northeast Health Wangaratta, Tallangatta Health Service, Yarrawonga Health
LODDON MALLEE: Bendigo Health, Boort District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Dhelkaya Health, Echuca Regional Health, Heathcote Health, Inglewood and Districts Health Service, Kerang District Health, Mallee Track Health and Community Service, Mildura Base Public Hospital, Robinvale District Health Services, Rochester & Elmore District Health Service, Swan Hill District Health
NORTH METRO and MITCHELL: Austin Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, Northern Health, and Seymour Health
PARKVILLE: Dental Health Services Victoria, Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellness Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital
SOUTH METRO: Monash Health
SOUTH WEST: Casterton Memorial Hospital, Heywood Rural Health, Moyne Health Services, Portland District Health, South West Healthcare, Terang and Mortlake Health Service, Timboon and District Healthcare Service, Western District Health Service
WEST METRO: Werribee Mercy Hospital and Western Health
