Community members will have greater opportunity to have their say in to the proposed merger of Ballarat Health Services, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, Stawell Regional Health and Wimmera Health Care Group.
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The four services have launched a new website Care for our Region giving the public the chance to provide feedback and ask questions about the proposed new entity, and explaining how the proposal will deliver better healthcare, enhanced services and advance the careers of employees.
The proposed merger was announced earlier this month, with the boards of the four health services working on plans over the past 18 months.
A business case supporting the partnership sent to the Victorian health minister in early July.
"We are working together to provide better care for the entire Grampians region. It's important that everyone has their say on the future of healthcare in our communities," said Ballarat Health Services board chair Natalie Reiter.
"We want to hear from patients, residents, staff and communities, to develop this exciting and much needed plan for the future."
BHS, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, Stawell Regional Health and Wimmera Health Care Group currently provide healthcare for more than 250,000 people, employ more than 6304 staff and have 21 campuses and sites.
The aim of the proposed new health entity is to provide communities with safe, sustainable, healthcare tailored to their changing workforce and community needs, for the long term.
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Members from each of the four hospital boards have assured their communities the partnership would allow them to provide more services locally, increase access to specialists, reduce the need for patients to travel, improve career pathways and training opportunities for staff, and provide the ability to share resources and administration.
There will be no job losses or loss of services at any of the health care services.
"The Care For Our Region website outlines the community engagement already undertaken, while also giving everyone another opportunity to have their say," said Wimmera Health Care Group board chair Marie Aitken.
"We are eager to learn about the gaps in our services and how we might improve to deliver better services for all."
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