Wednesday, 10 September 2025

 Emma KEALY (Lowan) (09:46): Recently it has come to the attention of the local community that there will be another so-called voluntary amalgamation of hospitals in my part of the state. Casterton Memorial Hospital now appears to be coming under voluntary amalgamation with Western District Health Service. I ask the minister to put this to the Casterton community. Casterton hospital has been managed by the Western District Health Service CEO and governed by their board for a long period of time. Obviously, when it is voluntary it is the board that is making the decision, informed by the CEO, who is already in place. The Casterton community deserve to have their say on this merger. They deserve to be heard on this issue, and this has not occurred in this instance. I ask the minister to take this forward and listen to their community.

We do not want to see, with any mergers across the state’s hospitals, what we have seen under Grampians Health. Under Grampians Health we have seen horrific cuts not just to health services and not just to local services but also to local jobs. We are seeing cuts to the laundry service, which is a really important employment opportunity for people who may be challenged in getting jobs elsewhere. There are people who have been working there for a long, long time who have lost their jobs. We are also hearing the kitchen is going to close. I have heard this multiple times this week from my office. I ask the minister to confirm that kitchen operations will continue at Wimmera Health Care Group, and also to offer further mental health support not just for our region but also for farmers in our community.