Cash injection

By Kath Gannaway
EASTERN Health has welcomed a $3 million upgrade for Healesville Hospital.
Chief of Clinical and Site Operations for Yarra Ranges Martin Smith welcomed the funding, saying the service looked forward to continuing to meet the community’s current and future needs.
The exact nature of the works which will be carried out however is not entirely clear.
Mr Smith said only that Eastern Health which runs the hospital would be working closely with the Department of Health to finalise planning priorities for any works to be carried out.
Seymour MP Ben Hardman who argued in State Parliament for the funding in April, told the Mail the works were for “infrastructure upgrades, refurbishment to establish an ambulatory care zone, a new car park and the expansion of the community health centre.”
The funding announcement in last week’s budget comes more than a year after the future operation of the hospital came under community scrutiny amid rumours the surgical, and possibly the maternity services would go.
Consultants were to be brought in to report on the services with guarantees at the time from Health Minister Daniel Andrews that maternity would stay and the suggestion that a new renal dialysis facility was a possibility.
No guarantees were given about surgical services, but there were promises of community consultation before any decisions were made.
Bram Alexander, a spokesman for the Minister’s office has confirmed that a report into the infrastructure needs of the hospital was prepared and submitted to the Department of Health.
The aim of that report, he said, was to identify minor works that would then provide information about what needed to be done in terms of service provision in the future.
No report into the actual in-hospital services has been carried out to date but Mr Alexander said that would be the next step, and that community consultation would be part of that.
Yarra Ranges councillor and Healesville resident Jeanette McRae also welcomed the injection of funds but said it was vital that the services offered at the hospital are given top priority in any moves at restructuring the facility.
She said it was also vital that the community is involved in that process.
Cr McRae said she had spoken to a number of doctors who believed Healesville had a bigger role to play in offering overnight surgical procedures.
“They are saying there is a seven-month waiting list for overnight procedures such as colonoscopies.
“People are being forced to go in waiting lists for Maroondah and Box Hill when there are no waiting lists at Healesville,” she said.
“I am absolutely delighted to have $3 million dollars for the hospital if it ultimately helps in supporting our surgical ward and reducing the waiting lists at Maroondah and Box Hill hospitals,” Cr McRae said.
Eastern Health announced last week that two new doctors, geriatrician/palliative care consultant Dr Jonathon Marriott and registrar Dr Anderson Ong, would provide extra medical support for patients at the hospital.
Mr Smith said the additional investment in Healesville would provide for more consistent medical coverage for patients and support local GPs referring patients for admission under the care of Dr Marriott or Dr Ong.