Health Minister acknowledges need for northern Geelong hospital

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VICTORIAN Health Minister David Davis yesterday admitted there was a clear need for better health services in Geelong’s north but stopped short of promising to deliver them.

In Geelong to launch a new partnership between regional umbrella health initiative, Healthy Together Geelong, and the Cats, Mr Davis said the State Government had worked with Barwon Health to identify where the greatest health needs were in the region.

“And it’s clear that there is need in the north of Geelong,” he said.

Mr Davis did not directly answer the Geelong Advertiser’s question about possible savings which could be made by incorporating public beds in the planned Waurn Ponds Epworth private hospital, rather than building a stand-alone community hospital next door as originally promised.

The Addy asked Mr Davis if any savings made from such a move could be used to fund a hospital where it was most needed – in the city’s north.

“One step at a time — Geelong Hospital, Waurn Ponds and then (it’s a matter of) satisfying the other tasks in terms of satisfying excellent health services as Barwon Health does for Geelong and the region,” Mr Davis said.

Federal Member for Corio, Richard Marles, who promised funds for planning of a northern hospital in the lead-up to the last Federal election accused the State Government of refusing to provide extra health services for Geelong’s growing north.

“Geelong’s north needs a dedicated health centre to meet our growing population and ease pressure from our hospital emergency rooms,” Mr Marles said.

“Funding for extra health services should be the top priority for our city and I encourage politicians at State, Federal and local levels in Geelong to put our community’s health needs first.”

Source: Geelong Advertiser