Helen Haines: Collaboration between North East health services vital

Dr Haines had not heard anything official about a speculated merger between services based in Albury-Wodonga, Benalla, Wangaratta and Goulburn Valley, but said collaboration was essential.

The former nurse said the term 'merger' was not useful as it is was unclear.

"Collaboration between major health services is really important and it's something that has been going on for some time," Dr Haines said.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic and even the bushfires we've seen significant collaboration between NorthEast Health and Albury Wodonga Health."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Dr Haines said Albury Wodonga Health was currently undertaking a masterplan which would show the community and funding bodies what services the growing region would require.

The federal member said it was essential Indi had the best possible health services and to do so 'strong collaboration' was important.

"Albury Wodonga Health is already a key referral centre for the region and there could be a really important sharing of services between other players, and some sharing of staff, that's the kind of planning we need to see," she said.

"We know people everywhere from Wangaratta to Wagga all access services in Albury.

"[Services] already collaborate in the oncology space and already collaborate in intensive care with units providing support to each other... Anything we can do to strengthen and build collaboration is a good thing for patient outcomes and staff outcomes."

Last week, Victorian member for Benambra Bill Tilley told state parliament he fears a feasibility study exploring a merger of health services could be a retrograde step to cut Albury from the service.

AWH chairman Matt Burke has said there was no feasibility study into a merger, but called a special board meeting to address collaboration and speculation.

Since then board member Tim Farrah has resigned.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: