Mond

Sunday 19 November

EUROA & NAGAMBIE HOSPITALS NEED FAIRER FUNDING

Euroa Hospital and the Nagambie Hospital continue to struggle financially due to being inappropriately classified as ‘private’ hospitals, according to Nationals member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “I recently attended the Annual General Meetings of Euroa Hospital and Nagambie Hospital. Clearly the hospitals are being managed by extremely committed staff and boards. Excellent results are being achieved under difficult circumstances.”

A major problem is that the hospitals originated as Bush Nursing Centres - community initiatives to provide vital health services, in the absence of publicly funded hospitals.

This has led to the hospitals being classified as “private” and therefore ineligible for some key funding available to public hospitals.

Both Euroa and Nagambie Hospitals administrations have attempted to solve this issue through creative arrangements, including a partnership with Goulburn Valley Base Hospital (GVBH).

This partnership allows GVBH patients from Euroa and Nagambie to be hospitalised locally for example during recovery from an illness or operation. This is a ‘win win’ situation for the patient and their families as well as relieving the pressure on GVBH resources.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I and my Nationals colleagues strongly support calls by Aged and Community Care Victoria’s call for a fairer deal for Bush Nursing Centres so that country Victorian communities such as Euroa and Nagambie can have access to equivalent health services available to communities with public hospitals. $18 million per year is a small cost to deliver these services especially when you consider the Victorian Government income from taxes is $100 million a day.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989