Minister hosts community forums on national health reforms

12 January 2011

The Victorian Health Minister David Davis commenced a series of community consultations this week to discuss the Commonwealth Government’s health reforms.

He was joined by the Premier Ted Baillieu for the first meeting with representatives of the Australian Medical Association, the Victorian Healthcare Association, General Practice Victoria, the Municipal Association of Victoria and primary care partnerships.

Mr Davis will hold another meeting on Thursday with representatives of metropolitan hospitals, councils, GP divisions, community health services and other primary care partnerships, before undertaking a round of regional consultations.

“It is important to be able to consider the views of key health agencies and professionals, who will be the ones who are at the coalface with any changes to Victoria’s health system,” Mr Davis said.

“It is equally important that the Victorian community and patients have their say.

“The Baillieu Government wants input from both the community and the sector on the feasibility of the Federal proposals to determine whether they are likely to lead to an improvement in the system already in place in Victoria, and whether any changes will benefit patients and users of our health system.

“I will be using this time to hear a full range of views on the proposals to be assured that the Government is in a position to ensure Victoria is not disadvantaged by any changes.”

Mr Davis said regional consultations would be held in the Gippsland Region on 21 January, Hume Region on 24 January and Barwon South Western Region on 27 January. Loddon Mallee and Grampians Regions previously planned for 18 and 19 January will be rescheduled after the impacts of flooding are resolved.  There will be another metropolitan meeting on 28 January.

Times and venues will be advertised locally when they are finalised.

Further information

Further information is available from the department’s National Health Reform website.