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www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
Monday, August 12, 2024
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GOTAFE FACING CUTS
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MILLA’S COVER GIRL ROLE
FAMILY EFFORT
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KATIE Batchelor, Will Wahlert, Charlie Wahlert, and Nick Batchelor led the fundraising efforts at the Boorhaman Hotel for the Good Friday Appeal, raising $41,818 which earned them a visit from the Good Friday Appeal regional road trip, recognising outstanding contributions to the overall cause this year. ■ Full story page 2. PHOTO: Chloe Jaenicke
ROVERS MAKE A STATEMENT Sport
HEALTH REFORM State opposition pp sees “looming g mergers” g with Victorian Government’s health service overhaul
NORTHEAST Health Wangaratta (NHW) will join a mega health network under the Hume region as a part of five Local Health Service networks for the state’s 76 services as a part of a major overhaul. The Hume network will stretch from Kyabram to Yea and will include Shepparton’s Goulburn Valley Health, Alpine Health, Beechworth Health Service, Benalla
BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
Health, Corryong Health, Albury-Wodonga Health, Tallangatta Health Service and Yarrawonga Health. The plan states Goulburn Valley and Albury hospitals “are proposed to continue as the providers of the most complex care in this network”.
The State Government had previously suggested the Shepparton-based health service could lead hospitals across the North East, including Wangaratta. Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy said hospital mergers were looming, with the State Government’s move to consolidate services into networks a “half-step” towards amalgamation of regional health services. “The State Government
is preparing the ground to centralise our health services, taking away important services from our regional hospitals,” he said. “The Hume network will be massive, covering 16 different health regions from Corryong to Kyabram, Albury to Yea, with a service area of over 380,000 people. “This will leave locals in Wangaratta, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Myrtleford,
and Bright worse off and stifle the important innovation that helps regional health services flourish. “As a result of these changes, we will see all the money poured into Albury and Shepparton, leaving smaller regional hospitals missing out on important services, and requiring locals to travel hours for care.” The government’s Health
Services Plan was developed as a result of a 10-month review into the state’s health system, exploring the challenges experienced by patients, communities and the health workforce. The expert advisory committee that put together the plan found the health system was “no longer fit for purpose” and was exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. ■ Continued page 2
www.rjsanderson.com.au Wangaratta Ph: (03) 5721 7002 | Albury Ph: (02) 6023 5524 | Myrtleford Ph: (03) 5752 2666 | Corowa Ph: (02) 6033 2233 | Rutherglen Ph: (02) 6032 7522