The Victorian Government has approved the joint proposal between Euroa Health and Goulburn Valley Health to secure the long-term future of acute hospital-based services for the Strathbogie Shire.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes visited Euroa on Friday, March 15, to announce acute and urgent care, as well as imaging services, would be delivered by Goulburn Valley Health via co-located facilities at Euroa Health’s current site, with a plan to expand those services over time.
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas endorsed the joint proposal following a specially convened meeting of eligible Euroa Health members, where the proposal received unanimous support.
Euroa Health chair Linsey Siede said the government’s support for the proposal marked an exciting day for the Strathbogie community.
“It’s hugely significant for our community that they’ll continue to have local access to much-needed hospital services, particularly given the ever-increasing demand for acute and urgent care from what is an ageing local population,” he said.
Euroa Health chief executive Melissa Seymour said attention would now turn to bringing the plan to life.
“I’m so pleased for everyone connected with Euroa Health that we’ve been able to get the proposal over the line,” she said.
“The real work begins now, and we’re already well under way with detailed planning to make sure the transition happens as smoothly as possible.”
The plan, which involves the transfer of land and assets relating to Euroa Health’s acute hospital services, is expected to take effect in July 2024, subject to the finalisation of a comprehensive transition and implementation plan.
All other parts of Euroa Health, including the GraniteHill Aged Care facility and existing community services, will continue to operate under the community-owned entity of Euroa Health.
GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp said the government’s support for the plan was the culmination of many months of detailed analysis to identify a solution that would best serve the people of the Strathbogie Shire for the long term.
“We’re looking forward to building on our existing partnership with Euroa Health,” he said.
“With the implementation being progressed and about to be finalised, we’ll be appointing a dedicated project team to oversee every aspect of the transfer of hospital services so we hit the ground running from day one.”
The proposal to transfer Euroa Health’s hospital-based services to GV Health was recommended by a joint steering committee of Euroa Health and GV Health representatives, external experts and the Department of Health representatives.
The steering committee was established in June 2023 to identify more sustainable service models for Euroa Health’s community-funded acute-care hospital services following years of financial losses driven primarily by ongoing falls in privately insured patient admissions.
The boards of both Euroa Health and GV Health endorsed the proposed model before going to a vote of Euroa Health members.