In response to widespread opposition voiced at a recent community meeting, Ms Cleeland has penned letters to both the health service’s board and the Victorian health minister.
The community gathering, which drew over 120 local residents, laid bare the deep-seated unease about the proposed merger.
Ms Cleeland noted that Seymour locals felt ignored and must be included in the conversation going forward.
Residents expressed their frustration about the perceived lack of consultation and their worries about how the merger might affect local healthcare provision.
“The Seymour community understandably feels like they’ve been kept in the dark about the future of their beloved local health service,” Ms Cleeland said.
“They have some questions that should be answered about what mergers will mean for their jobs or their ability to access local healthcare.
“I have expressed these concerns in a letter to the health minister and the board of the hospital and raised some of the questions that were asked during the meeting.”
The proposed merger has sparked intense discussions about the long-term future of health care not just in Seymour, but across the entire region.
Ms Cleeland expressed her deep gratitude and respect for the community members who showed up in force to voice their concerns at the meeting.
“I want to thank everyone who attended the community meetings in Seymour and advocated for the future of our local hospital,” she said.
“It was very clear just how important an issue this is for all of us.
“While some of the information revealed was quite distressing, it was incredible to see the level of care our community has for their local health service.
“Our hospitals are a source of pride for our towns and must be given the proper support they deserve.
“This is an issue that sadly will impact many more of our communities across regional Victoria, and I encourage every town in our region to make sure their voices are heard to make sure that our local health services are kept local.”
In the letter, Ms Cleeland questioned whether Seymour Health board members were informed about the impact of the merger, or partnership, on Seymour Health’s financial and operational position.
“There are also questions about why a hospital that is by all accounts running at minimal losses is wanting to amalgamate with one operating at a significant financial deficit,” she said.
“While Seymour Health is under financial pressure, this would be dwarfed significantly by the financial black hole of any major hospital.
“For instance, Seymour Health is operating within its financial means, while Northern Health is anticipating a $170 million deficit this financial year.
“To assume the priority of services or staff would flow back to a regional hospital from a major metropolitan hospital under immense pressure would be commercially naive, and it is our local community who will pay the ultimate price with their health.”
Ms Cleeland stressed that the community’s input was vital to maintaining quality local health services and must be safeguarded at all costs.
“Replacing this voice by moving local boards to larger hubs like Northern Health is not in our best interest, instead adding another level of bureaucracy for our community to access what it truly needs when it comes to health care,” she said.
This view of the Victorian health system was reinforced by the prestigious King's Fund in a 2015 report, commissioned by the Department of Health.
The report highlighted Victoria’s effective healthcare model, which empowers local boards to make decisions within state guidelines, ensuring community needs are met.
The report also said Victorian health services had a culture of innovation and agility, and the freedom to govern, all underpinned by a culture of organisational stability.
“All of this is under threat should these mergers happen,” Ms Cleeland said.
“To go against these objective facts proves the Allan Labor Government cannot manage money and cannot manage Victoria’s health system.”
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