Health group partnership discussions

Wimmera Health Care Group and Ballarat Health Services have opened discussions to uncover how the two organisations can better work together.

Wimmera Health Care Group management board believes providing safe and effective health services in Horsham and for the broader Wimmera would be better in partnership with the Ballarat services.

The board has spoken of ‘substantial synergies’ in clinical governance, regulatory compliance, aged-care compliance and accreditation, fiscal capability and clinical-service provision.

Wimmera health group chair Marie Aitken said the health services had been working closely in planning and responding to COVID-19.

“As a board, we are continuing to implement systems and services to ensure our community members have access to high-quality equitable health services,” she said.

“Closer partnerships should also help address challenges the organisation has faced for over 10 years. Those challenges include attracting and retaining workforce, organisational capability and capacity plus developing and maintaining efficient services to ensure the biggest impact can be made with the resources available.”

Mrs Aitken said despite the board team working to implement a range of plans during the past few years, the biggest improvements could happen by working more closely with others.

“The board would like to explore better partnering opportunities with BHS and at the conclusion of the exploratory process, review a presentation for its consideration,” she said.

“We can then decide whether to continue with our current arrangements or further strengthen our partnership to a level that will ensure longevity of quality for our medical services.”

Mrs Aitken said an exploration for better partnering would include comprehensive consultation with team members from both health services as well as the broader communities.