Wednesday, 21 September 2022

Euroa acute hospital

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly that Euroa’s Acute Hospital, located in North East Victoria has been supporting the Euroa and surrounding communities for almost 100 years, but is now facing unfeasible challenges regarding its future operation.

The Chief Executive Officer and Board of Management of Euroa Acute Hospital are calling on the Victorian Government for assistance and support to safeguard the hospital’s future, so it can continue to provide the vital health and medical care that they need. Euroa has an ageing population with 42.8% of 60 years and over and 40.2% of the population are living with at least one long-term health condition.

The Victorian Government has already committed to continuing investment into regional Victoria, to support housing and economic growth, enhancing social and economic participation and strong, vibrant healthy communities. In community, medical care is vital. Without support from the Victorian Government, this hospital will cease to operate or receive any new patient referrals and overflow from surrounding local hospital networks of Benalla, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Seymour. This will cause additional pressures on Victoria’s already struggling hospital system.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly provide public funding to prevent closure of the Euroa Acute Hospital. In turn, supporting the much-needed reforms to the Victorian Healthcare system, our 22 beds can relieve pressures on surrounding overcrowded hospitals like Goulburn Valley Health and North East Health.

This will also enable Ambulance Services to stay local, where they need to stay to be responsive for the community.

Public Government funding will also create more opportunities to support the local community with more allied health services, enhanced urgent care centre services, and more availability and bulk billing for X-Ray (recently reinstated and funded by the State Government in 2021/2022).