Ms Cleeland said she wrote to all hospital chief executives in the Euroa electorate, seeking a guarantee that no local funding or services would be cut as a consequence of the Victorian Government’s Health Services Plan.
The plan was developed by a Victorian Government-commissioned Expert Advisory Committee to provide recommendations for a more connected health system for all Victorians.
Through this, Local Health Service Networks were established, which are geographic groupings of health services responsible for planning and managing care to meet the needs of their community.
Ms Cleeland said the minister prevented hospital leaders from addressing concerns raised in the letters.
“The health minister’s response is a disgrace, Victorians deserve honesty about their health care,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This government is cutting funding and gutting services, yet when I demand a guarantee that our hospitals wouldn’t be impacted, the minister’s solution was to gag those who know the truth.”
Ms Cleeland said outrage was sparked in parliament after the minister shut down proposals for a new hospital in Albury-Wodonga.
“How can the minister claim to be listening when the very people affected are standing here, protesting the consequences of her decisions?” Ms Cleeland said.
“Healthcare professionals, local government representatives, and the broader community have made it clear — lives are at risk due to these cuts.
“They have tried to meet with the minister multiple times, only to be ignored, turned away, and now silenced.”
In response, the health minister dismissed Ms Cleeland’s claims.
“These claims are a blatant lie, and Ms Cleeland knows it,” Ms Thomas said.
“Clearly, she has forgotten which party saved the Euroa Bush Hospital from closing in 2024 by bringing it into public hands.
“It was Labor.
“Regarding Albury-Wodonga Health, the Member for Euroa may also want to fact-check her claims with her colleague Bill Tilley, whose electorate the hospital is in — I have met with the Albury-Wodonga mayors and community representatives on numerous occasions.”
For more information on the government’s Health Services Plan, visit health.vic.gov.au/research-and-reports/health-services-plan
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