The Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, says the co-location of primary health care services at Mansfield District Hospital makes medical as well as financial sense.
Senator McKenzie and the Member for Benalla, the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, earlier this week toured the hospital and received a joint briefing by CEO Janene Ridley and members of the Hospital Board.
A business case and implementation plan has been worked up by the Hospital Board and staff to co-locate most primary health care services at the hospital for the convenience of the entire district.
The project relies on the success of an application for $1.356mn from round four of the Australian Government’s Health and Hospitals Funding cycle.
“Mansfield is a thriving town and service centre for the surrounding farming, tourism and hospitality industries,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Why shouldn’t the District Hospital deliver health, GP and community services from a centralised facility? It just makes sense.”
Senator McKenzie and Mr Sykes were told that a successful funding application will enable the refurbishment and extension of the Hospital to develop a community health precinct, catering to for the entire district.
“It’s a classic example of a community-based initiative to cut duplication and waste,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Board and CEO of Mansfield District Hospital are to be congratulated on working up a such a quality funding submission, and I will do all I can to see it receives due consideration in Canberra.”