UPDATE: Northeast Health Wangaratta has commented publicly for the first time on a suggestion a "mega merger" of health services may happen.
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In a statement from NHW chief executive Tim Griffiths on Friday he said COVID-19 had shown what can happen if health services worked together.
But the Wangaratta-based service has not responded to the specific question it is driving a feasibility study into a merger with Albury-Wodonga and Benalla health services.
"Prior to the COVID-19 environment (NHW) worked closely with health services in the Hume Region via many different partnership structures, to ensure the best health outcomes for the community," Mr Griffiths said.
"By continuing to share our resources and expertise, throughout a very challenging 2020 and into 2021, we have been able to provide timely, high quality, safe care to our communities.
NHW continues to explore what closer collaboration between the health services in the Hume Region might look like.
"NHW has not agreed to be part of a mega-merger as is implied."
EARLIER: The long-term future of Albury Wodonga Health has been put firmly under the microscope by a bombshell revelation in the Victorian parliament about a potential mega merger of three health services in the North-East.
The country's first cross-border health was created in 2009 and operates under the Victorian Health and Human Services Department.
But 12 years later a feasibility study is underway exploring a merger of Albury Wodonga, Wangaratta and Benalla based health services, according to member for Benambra Bill Tilley.
"It would be a retrograde step for the community and a health service that sees more patients than all but Geelong in regional Victoria, one that boasts a state-of-the-art cancer centre among other unique specialist services and one that serves two large regional cities and all their satellite communities," he said.
Health minister Martin Foley has a month to respond, but didn't reply to The Border Mail for comment about matters raised by Mr Tilley.
AWH board chairman Matt Burke deferred comment to chief executive Michael Kalimnios, who said there had been talks among board members about taking part in a feasibility study about possible mergers.
"There has been discussions at a board level, but we haven't made any decision about progressing to a feasibility study at this stage," Mr Kalimnios said.
"There is a complication for us before we would go anywhere near a more formal feasibility study.
"Whilst we are a Victorian health service we are 50 per cent funded by NSW and they would have a view.
"The Victorian government has made it very clear they won't force mergers."
IN OTHER NEWS
Mr Tilley said a possible merger was being driven by the Wangaratta-based North-East Health Service via a feasibility study being funded by the Victorian government.
North-East Health was contacted for comment.
In parliament, Mr Tilley also called on Mr Foley to commit to matching the NSW government's $75 million contribution to jointly fund improvements to the intensive care unit and surgery and any capital works identified by the health service's master-plan due for release later this year.
The $6 million from the Victorian government was announced 12 months ago by former health minister Jenny Mikakos, who quit parliament last September parliament in response to criticism of her role in hotel quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An agreement between the two state governments underpinning the funding contributions to the cross-border health service also remains unsigned.
"There are a number of factors fuelling my fears about the future of AWH," Mr Tilley said..
"The only cross border health service in the nation has had $75 million from NSW government for major capital projects at AWH on the table for several years and yet the Victorian government commitment has been next to nothing, while at the same time pouring more than $30 million into North East Health at Wangaratta.
"In addition, the agreement between NSW and Victoria that underpins the health service is four years out of date and remains unsigned by the Victorian health minister.
"And now the bush telegraph says a secret study is exploring a mega merger between AWH, North East Health and Benalla.
"I asked the minister on behalf of the people of the North-East are you walking away from the Albury Wodonga Health service?"
Mr Tilley was speaking in parliament during an adjournment debate.
Fellow Liberal and member for Northern Victoria in the Upper House, Wendy Lovell, has also highlighted the need to upgrade Bright hospital operated by Alpine Health this week.
"I urge the minister to provide this funding so that Alpine Health can update the master-plan and plan a redevelopment of Bright hospital that will deliver the health services the community needs," she said.
Meanwhile, the Victorian government announced a further round of funding for the $48 million upgrade to the Swan Hill hospital's emergency department on Thursday.
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