The Andrews Labor Government is asking the Mildura community to have its say on the future of Mildura Base Hospital.
The Liberal Nationals privatised the Mildura Base Hospital in 1998, as they embarked on a savage round of cuts to healthcare that saw beds close, waiting lists spiral out of control, hospitals shut down or privatised, and hard-working health staff out of jobs.
Now, the Labor Government will ask the community what matters – and whether the Mildura Base Hospital should be returned to public hands.
Mildura Base Hospital is the only publicly-owned, privately-operated hospital in Victoria. It is currently operated by Ramsay Health as part of a contract reached with the Liberal Nationals in 1998, and then extended by the former Liberal Government.
A community campaign calling on Mildura Base Hospital to be returned to public hands is gathering pace, so the Labor Government is launching a community consultation to help determine the future of health care in Mildura.
The 165-bed Mildura Base Hospital delivers high-quality public health services such as emergency, maternity, intensive care, general medicine and surgery, as well as oncology, medical imaging, pathology, dialysis and mental health.
Mildura Base Hospital is treating record numbers of patients, with the latest quarterly performance data revealing 8,401 patients were treated in the three months ending June 2018 – up from 8,190 presentations the same period 12 months prior.
The Labor Government’s $250 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund is the largest of its kind in Victorian history. As part of the fund, the Government has invested more than $8 million towards upgrading Mildura Base Hospital’s ICU and paediatric unit.
The community can have its say at
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Hospitals belong to the community, no matter whether they’re publicly or privately operated. We want Mildura families to tell us what the future of Mildura Base Hospital should be.”
“We’re putting patients first to ensure they receive the high quality care they deserve when they need it most – both now and into the future.”
“Whether it’s the Liberal Nationals of yesteryear or the Liberal Nationals of today, you can’t trust them when it comes to health. All they do is cut, close and privatise.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020