Community
14 August, 2024
Vogels labels health decision a “farce”
FORMER Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) board member John Vogels AM has hit out at the government’s healthcare announcement, saying “what a farce”.
The recent healthcare restructuring announcement by the Allan’s Government has drawn strong criticism from Mr Vogels AM.
He said the only notable change in this announcement is the addition of yet another layer of bureaucracy, which “was likely to cost millions in funding without addressing the real needs of rural communities”.
“The government has decided to merge TDHS under the control of the Barwon South West, appointing a new board to oversee this integration,” Mr Vogels AM said.
“This board will then report to a newly established agency called Hospital Victoria.
“This restructuring effectively relegates smaller rural hospitals to the sidelines, giving them no real say or control over their future.”
He further questioned the role which would remain for the existing TDHS chief executive officer and board of directors under the new structure.
“With so much new red tape and bureaucracy now in place, these roles will be largely ceremonial,” Mr Vogels said.
As a long-time former board member, he is acutely aware of the challenges small rural health services face.
“Our biggest challenge has always been attracting healthcare professionals—GPs, nurses, allied health workers and volunteers—to our community,” Mr Vogels AM said.
“These new mega-boards will have little interest in ensuring that small rural hospitals like TDHS get the attention they need, especially given the widespread shortage of healthcare professionals across the state.”
Mr Vogels AM also noted the announcement aligned with the Victorian Healthcare Association’s comment this was merely the “centralisation of administration and resources across health services”.
“For our local hospital, TDHS, it will be like David fighting Goliath every time we seek funding, resources, or anything else needed to support our community,” he said.
Mr Vogels AM expressed concern the ongoing lack of resources and autonomy would further hinder efforts to attract people to live, work, and retire in rural areas.
“Today’s (last Thursday’s) hospital announcement only confirms that the Government is in ‘spin’ mode,” he said.
“After all is said and done, all we have achieved is another tier of bureaucracy.”