PM plan may see us part of ‘local network’

Written by STEVE KELLY.

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd’s proposed reforms to hospital funding nationwide could see Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) gain more cash.

And NHW may become part of a ‘local network’, which is run by one board of management.

The PM’s bold plan, unveiled this week, would see it significantly increase its commitment to funding hopsital costs, paying them directly for services offered, instead of handing that funding to state governments to allocate.

But while the Federal Government, and some health experts see the benefits, the Victorian Government is afraid the reform will penalise the state’s health system, said to be the best in the country.

NHW chief executive officer Ken Taylor said it’s likely that under the reform NHW would be a part of a network comprising Albury Wodonga Health and smaller hospitals such as Beechworth Health Service and Mansfield District Hospital.

The grouping of local hospitals could however drag down hospitals that are performing better and take control out of the hands of leaders in individual communities.

"NHW’s service plan already includes a joint cooperation with various hospitals in terms of service provision and it would be interesting to see how the proposed level of cooperation will be achieved," he said.

Mr Taylor was ultimately optimistic that increased funding through the planned reform would provide extra health services.

"NHW has the capacity to increase services and additional money from the Commonwealth would be one way to achieve this," he said.