MURRINDINDI: Hospital merger via the back door?
Yea resident Jan Beer has criticised the two-week public consultation period regarding Alexandra District Hospital’s ‘voluntary amalgamation into the ‘East Metro & Murrindindi’ local health network.
“Eastern Health and Alexandra District Hospital, along with St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Yea & District Memorial Hospital, have been grouped into the new “East Metro & Murrindindi” network. This is a large network as Eastern Health comprises:
• Angliss Hospital (Upper Ferntree Gully)
• Box Hill Hospital (Box Hill)
• Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health (Healesville)
• Maroondah Hospital (Ringwood East)
• Peter James Centre (Burwood East)
• Wantirna Health (Wantirna)
• Yarra Ranges Health (Lilydale)
“It appears if the Allan Government found they could not implement their forced mergers via the front door, they are only too willing to attempt to do so by the back door,” Mrs Beer said on Sunday night (Nov. 9).
“Barely 15 months ago our local communities gathered approximately 4000 signatures on a petition stating that we did not want amalgamation, wished to remain independent and retain our own local boards. “It seems Alexandra District CEO and Board were not listening to the community and believe they have all changed their minds, as they are now calling for ‘voluntary amalgamation’, which I assume means that the community would now want ADH to become integrated or consolidated as one entity with Eastern Health.”
Mrs Beer asked if the local hospital board loses its autonomy
“What will be the impacts on Yea and District Memorial Hospital? “ Mrs Beer queried.
Pictured: Premier Jacinta Allan

