By JESSE GRAHAM
EILDON’S candidates have weighed in on the debate around Healesville Hospital’s future, with all of the major parties pledging support for SHHAG’s case study.
Earlier this month, the Save Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) announced it had yet to receive critical Eastern Health data needed for a business case study on the future of the hospital.
SHHAG acting chair Jane Judd said that, due to a delay in releasing the information – which was requested in May, and again in detail in September – the case study would not be completed before the election, as planned.
She said the group had hoped for bi-partisan support for the study prior to the election.
The study, which was funded by $90,000 in community donations, is being undertaken by consultant Rita Brewerton to determine whether the hospital is better run by Eastern Health or through other means.
The Mail contacted each of the candidates for the Eildon electorate with questions about whether they supported the case study and would support its results and recommendations.
Seymour MP and Liberal candidate Cindy McLeish said she had “no issue” with the business case being undertaken, but did not want to make a “premature” decision on supporting the outcome.
“It would be premature to make a decision regarding support for the outcome of the business case without an understanding of the content of the report and its recommendations,” she said.
“I am also aware that the consultant said publicly that she intended to look at the options for the future of the hospital, so it may be that the outcome is not clear-cut one way or the other.”
Ms McLeish’s comments were echoed by Nationals candidate Jim Child who said he supported the study, but was awaiting the results before commenting.
Greens candidate Marie Sellstrom said that she needed more details on the matter before pledging her support.
Labor candidate Sally Brennan said that she supported the business case and that she would support the outcome of the study, regardless of its recommendations.
“The business case is about the service profile, and will question whether the community has been offered the best service profile to meet its needs,” she said.
“Labor will support outcomes of any studies that contain the required academic rigour, extensive community consultation and demonstrated need – on the face of it, the independent business case contains these essential elements.”
Independent candidate Bruce Argyle – who is a member of SHHAG – said that he “absolutely” supported the case study, and said the responsibility of local hospital governance should lie with locals.
“The outcome of the case study will not be a yes/no answer – it will evaluate the options and help us make informed decisions,” he said.
“Ultimately, the community should decide whether the Healesville Hospital ought to be independent.”
Both Eastern Health and the Department of Health representatives said they were working with Ms Brewerton to make the requested data available.
Independent candidate Wirrun Sky and Australian Country Alliance candidate Jeffrey Leake were both contacted, but did not respond by deadline.
