A GROUP of senior medicos has backed the path Albury-Wodonga Health is on towards the potential creation of a single campus hospital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The cross-border health service has committed to carrying out the most extensive analysis of its service area since its inception more than a decade ago.
But detailed planning work on an initial service plan is nearing completion which will guide what the best long-term model looks like.
Seven clinicians have publicly backed the process instigated by AWH chief executive Michael Kalimnios.
"This is the data, this is the fact-finding, this is the consultation of what we think we can do here," AWH's emergency medicine and intensive care director, Dr David Clancy said.
"All things roll from that and it is critically important that work be done.
"The key to this process is yes, you can keep having those conversations (with governments).
"But we need to be mindful of what we are asking for and be mindful we are on the same page."
IN OTHER NEWS
Health departments from both states are participating in the process being undertaken by Cube Consulting which was recommended for the job by government and started its work in February.
"This is their game," Dr Clancy said.
"We've all taken part in the process and had chances to say either directly to Cube or through clinical representatives.
"We are open to the possibility of a single campus site."
Local government areas in the AWH service catchment have also been sounded by consultants on the service plan investigation.
The Albury hospital emergency department upgrade, which has attracted $36 million in funding, is proceeding as the longer term planning continues.
The NSW Government has provided the bulk of the emergency department upgrade funding and is also contributing a further $45 million for acute care services.
AWH has also flagged relocating its maternity section from Wodonga to Albury.
The medicos are also aware staff recruitment can be made easier if those state of the art facilities existed.
"We've got to be working hard at getting better facilities to recruit good, young staff," Dr Barb Robertson said.
"To get people coming out of a tertiary centre in Melbourne and be looking at somewhere like Albury-Wodonga we need to have something pretty shiny with all the facilities they require to even consider it."