The State Government will invest a further $1.5 billion to support the state’s health sector, and revealed that it will not force hospitals to merge, following an announcement made last month.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the State Government will deliver several key reforms such as supporting health services to reduce non-clinical duplication and promoting stronger partnerships between hospitals, but will not forcibly amalgamate Victoria’s health services.
Moving towards a better connected healthcare system, Ms Allan announced the formation of a new agency in the Department of Health—Hospitals Victoria—led by former Northern Health Chief Executive Siva Sivarajah.
Other reforms include rolling out a connected Electronic Medical Record System to all hospitals, and replacing the Health Service Partnerships with stronger Local Health Service Networks.
The networks will support hospitals to collaborate—enabling them to work together to deliver better care, while also better supporting staff across each region.
Ms Allan said Labor would always support Victoria’s hospitals.
“As the sister of a nurse, and the mum of a daughter who has relied on the life-saving care of our hospitals, my priority will always be patients and their families,” she said.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the reforms would deliver better patient care.
“Victoria’s health system is one of the best in the world, and these reforms will keep us on track to deliver even better patient care through a reformed health system that is better integrated and connected, at the same time protecting the local services we know Victorians trust and rely on,” she said.
