Moorabool News 11 Jan 2022

Page 5

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The Moorabool News – 11 January, 2022 Page 5

Former doctor airs concerns By Lachlan Ellis Dr Rodney Stobart is a former doctor at the Ballan Hospital and told the Moorabool News of his concerns, following the facility’s acquisition by mecwacare. Ballan District Health & Care (BDHC), which operates Ballan Hospital, has transitioned to the ownership of mecwacare, a not-for-profit aged care and disability services provider, on 1 December. And while mecwacare Chief Executive Michele Lewis has spoken of “continuity of care for residents and clients”, Dr Stobart has his doubts. “The citizens of Ballan who battled so hard to get the hospital built will be rolling over in their graves,” he told the Moorabool News. Dr Stobart arrived in Ballan in 1977, when the hospital was struggling financially and had six beds. “Back then, Ballan had not been able to get a doctor to commit long term for many years. On occasions they were without a doctor, relying on doctors from Bacchus Marsh to visit,” he said. “Before I came, I asked the committee to purchase some equipment: a mist tent to treat kids with croup, a monitor/ defibrillator, and a humidicrib. All this equipment was put to good use…many kids with croup were able to be cared for close to home. “The hospital was making a lot of money. On occasions, we had 110 per cent occupancy.” Since leaving Ballan Hospital in 1983, Dr Stobart said the hospital had only managed to get one doctor to make Ballan their home. With the hospital to be run by a group from out of Ballan, he fears the community-oriented nature of the hospital is at further risk. “Ballan citizens have not had continuity of care by one

Dr Rod Stobart has concerns about ongoing care with no after-hours care available locally. Photo – Helen Tatchell doctor who knew them and their families, knew their struggles and their difficulties. This used to be the real joy of ‘family medicine’,” he said. “Ballan will have no after-hours care – children who have fevers, middle ear infections, croup, asthma et cetera, will

have to be taken to Ballarat.” In an August media release, Ms Lewis said mecwacare’s acquisition of BDHC would “provide long-term security and financial sustainability for the health service and local Ballan community”.

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Moorabool News 11 Jan 2022 by The Moorabool News - Issuu