LORNE Community Hospital and Otway Health are considering a merger but say it will be \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d at the two health services if the proposal is
\napproved.<\/p>\n
In a media statement released last month, the two hospitals revealed they had been working over the past 18 months on a proposal to \u201ccreate a sustainable health service along the Great Ocean Road\u201d.<\/p>\n
The boards of both hospitals are planning to seek approval from Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos to \u201ccombine operations under a single entity\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe joint proposal to combine the health services of Lorne Community Hospital and Otway Health will ensure the provision of improved service delivery and greater access to clinical care along the Great Ocean Road and into the Otways\u201d.<\/p>\n
No job losses are expected, and benefits for patients and staff would include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Greater access to a broader range of health services locally, and more choice as to where health services are delivered
\n\u2022 Better connectivity and delivery of services across both sites
\n\u2022 Improved access to health services at both Lorne and Apollo Bay
\n\u2022 Greater ability to meet patient needs at different stages of life and within their own community
\n\u2022 Improved accessibility to, and co-ordination of, aged care services
\n\u2022 Improved access to health care professionals with more experts available to both sites
\n\u2022 More opportunities for staff professional development and flexible job sharing in order to develop, upskill and retain staff
\n\u2022 Enhanced sustainability and increased stability of GP services throughout the local region, and Improved operational efficiency to allow diversion of resources towards enhancing direct patient care.<\/p>\n
According to the statement, the names for each local campus will remain the same – Lorne Community Hospital and Otway Health – but an\u00a0umbrella name for the combined entity will be included in the proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be business as usual for both hospitals, right where they are now. Each hospital will continue to operate its respective urgent care, acute care and residential aged care, community Services and neighbourhood houses, exactly as they do now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Consultation with staff from both health facilities and each community is continuing \u2013 head to otwayhealth.org.au or lch.org.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LORNE Community Hospital and Otway Health are considering a merger but say it will be \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d at the two health services if the proposal is approved. In a media statement released last month, the two hospitals revealed they had been working over the past 18 months on a proposal to \u201ccreate a sustainable […]<\/p>\n