The rise in gas and electricity was one of the challenges highlighted at the health services’ AGM on Tuesday in Port Fairy. 

MHS acting chief Leigh Parker said there were two reasons for the increased energy costs in the 2016/17 financial year.

The service’s energy costs increased from $86,000 in 2015/16 to $143,500 in 2016/17.

“One is the cost of energy is going up and the other is our consumption has gone up because we’ve brought in a new (community health) building,” Mr Parker said.

He said an increase in the Health Purchasing Victoria electricity contract had also contributed to the rising costs. 

Mr Parker said the service would work with consultants that South West Healthcare had contracted to review MHS’ energy usage and make recommendations.

He said while MHS’ yet-to-be constructed urgent care centre would increase overall energy costs, the service would incorporate energy saving measures when the existing Moyneyana House building was refurbished.

Mr Parker said it was pleasing that MHS had recorded a surplus of almost $600,000 during the financial year.

He said surplus drivers included improved Aged Care Funding Instrument funding for aged care residents and improved occupancy levels at Moyneyana and Belfast houses. Revenue growth from expanded services including home care packages and Commonwealth Home Support Program also contributed to the surplus figure. 

He said highlights included excellent results in the Equip National Accreditation with the service meeting all mandatory items and the opening of new community health building. Expanding the health service’s home care packages by 20 per cent to 50 packages was another positive, he said. 

Mr Parker said challenges this financial year were the aged care accommodation bonds’ low interest rate which created “some pressures” and the management of cash flow while urgent care and Moyneyana House infrastructure works were completed.