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Health | January 10, 2025

Labor’s Health Merger Mess

The Allan Labor Government's plans to forcibly merge health services across Victoria has moved a step closer with the announcement of so-called local health service networks.

The Nationals Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Emma Kealy said this was a further step in Labor's plans to take away local decision making and reduce local services.

“All regional Victorians should be very concerned about the impact these new health networks will have on local services,” Ms Kealy said.

“This ill-conceived plan will result in reduced services, job losses and force regional Victorians to travel further for essential care.

“Labor promised that their forced hospital amalgamations under Grampians Health would deliver more health jobs, more local services and upgraded facilities, but instead all we’ve seen are cuts to local jobs, cuts to local health services, and centralised management, decision making and funding. 

“Labor’s failure to manage Victoria’s health system is having a devastating impact on staff morale locally and access to local health care for our people.”

Ms Kealy said it was extremely concerning, but not surprising, that Labor was hiding crucial details on how these networks will operate, leaving Victorians in the dark about the future of their healthcare.

“The government needs to be honest with Victorians about: 

• Will these hospitals, services and networks continue to be provided with the necessary funds beyond the end of this financial year?
• What services will be reduced or cease to be provided at local hospitals throughout the State?
• How many jobs will be lost because of the Government's health service mergers?
• When will the Government release all details of the Government's health service mergers?

“I am very concerned that the Government is proceeding with its merger plan by stealth, which will see local services diminished and local control taken away from our hospitals as we have seen with the creation of Grampians Health.

“Labor has failed to properly manage and invest in Victoria’s public health system, instead preferencing projects in Melbourne that will provide no benefit to the people of rural and regional Victoria.

“All Victorians deserve the opportunity to access quality care close to home.

"Labor's health merger mess proves they can't be trusted with our healthcare or our money.”