Over 120 concerned Seymour residents attended a community meeting to discuss the impact that hospital mergers are set to have on their beloved local health service.
The event hosted by The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, aimed to provide community members with more information about the mergers and ensure that local voices were being heard.
“The meeting was a chance for us to share some information, answer some questions, and hopefully clarify some of the rumours and fears that people might have about hospital mergers in our region,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I feel it is incredibly important to ensure our community is kept informed about what these mergers will do to our local hospitals, Seymour Health included.
“So far, the lack of information being shared with the community from both government and the hospitals themselves has been unacceptable.”
As things stand, the Allan Labor Government is set to combine 76 health services across the state into just 12 larger hubs.
This follows significant funding cuts to healthcare in the most recent state budget, and more than 20 health services being told their budgets would be cut by up to 30 per cent across the next financial year.
This comes at a time where regional communities are suffering from delayed ambulance response times, out of control surgery and GP waitlists, and a lack of resourcing for local hospitals.
Mergers have proven to be an unpopular course of action, bringing about risks of job cuts and services being moved outside of local towns in favour of larger hubs outside of the community.
The meeting revealed Seymour Health was pursuing a partnership model with Northern Health without consulting with staff or the local community.
“Seymour Health’s CEO indicated he is wanting to fall in line with the government’s plans for hospital mergers under the guise of a partnership,” Ms a Cleeland said.
“Many attendees felt this decision was reached without consulting staff at the hospital, and without considering the views of the wider Seymour community.
“It is clear that the community is disappointed, and feels they deserved the chance to have their say on such an important matter.”
The importance of the local community in the decision-making process was outlined by Ms Cleeland during the meeting, who said she will continue to advocate for them to be involved.
“This hospital is a source of pride for the community, is a major employer, and ensures that locals can get high quality treatment without having to travel long distances,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We’ve already seen mergers have a clear negative impact on other towns, and by surrendering management to larger hubs, Seymour Health will be neglecting community voices that are so important.
“On behalf of the community, I will be writing to the Seymour Health board to ensure they hear what our town is saying and make sure they recognise the important part this community should play in the decision-making process.”
