A REVIEW into Corangamite Shire’s health services could see an alliance or amalgamation formed of hospitals in Camperdown, Cobden, Timboon and Terang.
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The project’s advisory committee looked at potential governing models but ruled out a merger of Timboon, Terang and Cobden hospitals with South West Healthcare.
Spokesman for the project’s advisory committee and Corangamite Shire mayor Matt Makin said one outcome was the proposal of the Corangamite Health Alliance which committee members were putting to their hospital boards for endorsement.
The alliance would allow health services to work together on shire-wide issues, including the development of allied health, aged-care and primary-care services and using shared resources to get the best value and coverage of services.
Cr Makin said the committee would now work to get more funding to look at different structure models.
“This is necessary so the respective boards and the community can better understand the implications, advantages and disadvantages of any changes and potential mergers,” he said. “It may very well be that the current structure is best to serve the community.”
Cr Makin said the alliance could allow resources to be shared and deliver the best value to the community.
He said the different models of collaboration ranged from maintaining the status quo to the forming one health care organisation.
He said it was difficult to make a recommendation without further analysis.
“The health care providers are open to exploring a whole range of options,” he said.
“At no stage was the closure of any health service facilities considered.” A report will be provided to Health Minister David Davis for a decision to be made later this year.
cquirk@standard.fairfax.com.au