General News
14 January, 2025
Green light for health system reform
Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) will soon join the Grampians in the government’s new Health System Network.
On Friday, the Victorian government announced the Local Health Service Networks that will be commencing operation from July 1 this year.
MDHS will merge with seven other regional hospitals including Central Highlands Rural Health, Grampians Health and Beaufort and Skipton Health Services to become part of the new Grampians Network.
These networks have been grouped together by geographic regions and will support improved cooperation between local services, ensure doctors and specialists are available to care for local patients, deliver clearer pathways in and out of hospital and support waiting lists within each region.
Last year when these networks were being drafted, The Maryborough Advertiser reported that the biggest impact on MDHS included easier access to specialist care, improved referral pathways and the proposed Electronic Medical Record System, ensuring Victorian healthcare providers would all use the same patient record systems.
These networks have now been finalised.
Population growth, community need, clinical capability and distance between services have also been used to determine these groupings.
In early 2025 Victorian Health services will finalise arrangements for their network, focusing on four key priority areas: access, workforce, clinical governance and sustainability.
“Strengthening the collaboration with neighbouring health services will enhance patient care through shorter wait times, better access to specialist services and high-quality care closer to home,” MDHS acting CEO David Edwards said.
“At MDHS, our purpose is to connect our community to great care every day. We look forward to working with the new network to further enhance and refine regional collaboration to streamline clinical service planning and shared corporate services delivery.
“This announcement strengthens our ongoing commitment to delivering accessible, efficient healthcare while maintaining our local identity.”