ALBURY Wodonga Health has predicted it can achieve a break even position next financial year after posting a $1.9 million operating loss for the past 12 months.
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The cross-border health service employing 2000-plus staff and servicing a population catchment of 250,000 people had budged for a $2.5 million deficit in 2016-17.
AWH chief executive Leigh McJames said at the health service’s annual meeting on Thursday it had an agreement with the Victorian Government to work towards a break even position by the end of 2017-18.
“I can assure you we are on target to deliver that,” he said.
AWH has only recorded one profit in its eight year history in becoming the only cross-border health service created in Australia.
Its total budget grew by $12 million to $268 million with support from the Victorian and NSW governments in the past 12 months.
Other notable outcomes in 2016-17 were an increase of 650 emergency department presentations to 62,943, a dip of births by 73 to 1639 and a rise in surgical procedures of 822.
The latter figure has been influenced by a waiting list reduction target of 1300 being achieved.
AWH has also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District which is awaiting official recognition from the NSW health department.
The cardiac catheter lab presently under construction at the Albury hospital is due to be operational by July next year. Also, the brain and mind centre located at the Mercy Hospital site is also scheduled to be up and running in mid-2018.
Mr McJames also confirmed AWH was hoping to secure a “co-contribution” from the Victorian government to the $30 million allocated by NSW for an upgraded emergency department.
AWH board chair Nicola Melville also praised the contribution of its volunteer networks.
Ms Melville also presented board commendations to Glenda Chapman, Rachael Andrew, Renae Murtagh, Russell Maher, Elaine Hill, Alyce Cummings, Carolyn Enshaw and Dr Max Wellstead at the annual meeting.
The AWH has had a recent addition with the appointment of Cath Prichard.
Pauline Ross has taken over the quality care portfolio occupied by Julia Coyle since the inception of AWH.
Professor Coyle has recently taken up a senior position at the Univesity of Wollongong.
