The Victorian Government is ensuring that communities across western Victoria have the health services they need for years to come with the creation of Grampians Health.
Minister for Health Martin Foley has approved the voluntary amalgamation of Ballarat Health Services, Edenhope & District Memorial Hospital, Stawell Regional Health and Wimmera Health Care Group after being satisfied that it would deliver benefits to the community.
The voluntary amalgamation will deliver better health outcomes for their local communities in western Victoria.
The creation of Grampians Health follows 18 months of detailed work, including extensive community and staff consultation across all health services and communities. The new structure formalises the existing strong partnerships between the services.
The four hospitals have successfully worked closely together in a joint approach to help protect their communities during the coronavirus pandemic, which led them to voluntarily explore a more formal and structured partnership.
Patients from each of the services - at Edenhope, Stawell, Horsham, Dimboola and Ballarat will continue to be able to access quality care from their local facility, with no loss of services.
There will be no reductions in staffing levels and staff will continue to work when and where they work today unless they wish to change.
The integration will provide local communities with greater access to clinical expertise and options for care closer to home and help safeguard and nurture the career paths of their valued staff.
Engagement with all local communities will continue under the new health service, including during the service planning process to ensure all health needs for the community are being met.
Grampians Health will formally come into being on November 1 and nine out of the ten board members come from the merged health services, with all four services gaining representation on the Grampians Health board.
Future board appointments will continue to deliver strong local representation and ensure the community is at the heart of the work of Grampians Health.
As stated by Minister for Health Martin Foley
"The creation of Grampians Health will provide a strong, integrated health service to benefit the health and wellbeing of the local community."
"We're ensuring all Victorians have access to the high-quality health care and services they need and deserve close to home."
"The community were involved every step of the way - everyone involved can be proud of what Grampians Health brings for the future."
