Moorabool council will call on the health minister to guarantee the future of Bacchus Marsh hospital, despite the controversy over its maternity services.
The Djerriwarrh Health Services’ board of management was sacked last month when details of mismanagement in several births and previous legal action were revealed in the media.
Eastern ward councillor David Edwards said the council would write to the health minister requesting the hospital retain full services and funding.
Cr Edwards said while the council felt deeply for the families involved, it was concerned with the “bigger picture”.
“This is a state-run hospital so let’s not blame the board and then close down the whole hospital” he said.
“It’s widely known that regional towns receive only about 25 per cent of the infrastructure funding metropolitan areas receive … we need to preserve what we have.
“It would be terrible if we closed Bacchus Marsh hospital,” Cr Edwards said.
“We are a high-growth area and need to maintain a high quality of services or risk becoming the poor cousin of nearby cities.
“The hospital provides about 200 jobs in this area and it’s used by people from all over the region, including Melton Sunbury, Gisborne, Ballan and Ballarat.”
Concerns about the hospital’s maternity services can be directed to 1800 675 398.
with Esther Lauaki
