Hannah Hammoud
The boards of both Northern Health and Kilmore District Health services have begun a project to explore the potential avenues to connecting their healthcare communities.
Both health services are looking for ways to ensure more sustainable and connected healthcare for the communities of Kilmore and the northern growth corridor, now and into the future.
The announcement kicks off community engagement into how the partnership may be strengthened, with a potential proposal to include unification.
While the two health services are distinct, they already work closely together, sharing similar culture and values, staff and resources, and a multitude of services.
Both organisations also face changing community profiles and an increasing demand for specialist services closer to home.
Their intent is for an open and transparent engagement process over the next three months, involving staff, patients, stakeholders, and communities in the development of a shared service plan to ensure everyone has a say about what a shared future could look like.
It is expected the planning process will raise options that may strengthen existing partnerships, including exploring voluntary amalgamation.
A merger can only take place if the boards are in agreement, community benefit is assured, and with approval from the health minister.
Northern Health board chair Jennifer Williams said they will be going into this exercise as an equal partner with Kilmore District Health.
“We have worked closely together for many decades and share common challenges,” she said.
“Both our health services also share a driving purpose of ensuring our communities have the best possible healthcare and wellbeing services whilst supporting and investing in our workforces.
“As part of this process, we will examine how a unified service could provide improved access to clinical services closer to home.
“We are acting now to make our health resources work better for everyone and I encourage community contribution throughout this process”.
Details: www.betterconnectedcare.com.au.
