DISCUSSIONS on a possible “integration of services” at Northern Health and Austin Health have occurred at board level but the government has moved to extinguish staff fears of mass cuts, saying the growing area needs more services.
“I’d say they’re putting the cart well before the horse,” Health Minister David Davis said. “There will be more jobs, more capacity, more services, more opportunities … in the northern regions of the city where the population is growing.”
Mr Davis said discussions with clinicians, board members and executives at Northern and Austin Health had been around how to better integrate services, but “there is no formal proposal on these matters”.
“Let me make a direct prediction that over the forthcoming years, as over the last two years under this government, the budget of Northern Health will be increased,” he said.
Staff have aired concerns that a merger between the much larger Austin Health and Northern Health would mean cuts to patient services and staffing levels. Mr Davis and Premier Denis Napthine were at the Northern Hospital last Wednesday to announce a $29 million, 32-bed acute inpatient ward to be funded in the 2013-14 budget.
Construction on the three-storey building, which could be expanded to six floors, is due to start next year and be completed by 2016.
Yan Yean MLA Danielle Green said the announcement did not allay fears that the government wouldmerge Northern and Austin Health – both in her electorate.
“The Austin will eat up the Northern Hospital,” she said.
The Northern Hospital is undergoing construction of a $24.5 million emergency department and special care nursery upgrade. Mr Napthine said it was “absolutely essential” to meet the needs of the growing northern region, estimated to balloon by 55 per cent in 13 years.
