By Sumeyya Ilanbey
The beleaguered Ballan GP super clinic has been thrown a lifeline, with the state government announcing an “urgent” $500,000 assistance package.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced last week the package was a short-term grant that will be repaid once Ballan District Health and Care improved and ensured its long-term financial sustainability.
The clinic had been grappling with financial difficulties for at least the past four years. Chief executive Wayne Weaire resigned from the clinic earlier this month.
There were fears the clinic would slash services and jobs unless its financial position could be improved.
Board member and Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell welcomed the state government’s rescue package, describing it as “fantastic”. But he lamented the lack of action from the federal government.
“It’s really disappointing the federal government hasn’t come to the table yet, especially because we’ve had this problem for several years,” Mr Tatchell said.
“It’s not a new problem and it was always going to happen. I went to Canberra two years ago to raise it. But I’m really pleased the [state] health minister has put the politics to one side, put the people first, and thrown us a lifeline.”
Although the money won’t be enough to turn around the clinic’s finances, Mr Tatchell said it could buy it some time and help it work towards putting in place long-term financial strategies.
“Both state and federal government need to understand country people put in a third of the money in their coffers and we need to get more back,” he said.
“Instead of talking about growing the bush, we need to do more for the bush.”
Ms Hennessy said the financial arrangement would ensure the clinic could “find its feet again”.
“The Ballan District Health and Care sits at the heart of the local community and we have to do everything we can to protect it,”
Ms Hennessy said.
“We’ll never turn our backs on the hard-working rural and community health services that regional and rural Victorians depend on.”
Although a private facility, the Ballan District Health and Care is community-run and is the major health service provider for the area.
It employs 183 staff and offers aged-care, hospital care, X-ray and dental, among a number of other services.
Preliminary figures indicate the clinic operated at a $480,000 loss in the 2017-18 financial year, which is projected to increase to $800,000 this financial year if changes aren’t made.
The federal government and Ballan District Health and Care were contacted for comment.
