Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (14:37): (1542) My constituency question is to the Minister for Health: what cuts has the minister approved to clinical services at Maroondah Hospital in Ringwood? Yesterday in question time the minister stated there have been no cuts to frontline services under this government. Maroondah Hospital is in my electorate of Ringwood and is the primary acute hospital servicing the eastern suburbs, including communities across Ringwood, Heathmont, Croydon and the Yarra Ranges, and for many families in the east Maroondah Hospital is their local hospital. It is where people rely on care close to home, and a rapidly growing region depends on timely access to treatment. Last year reports that paediatric services were being relocated generated community concern, and the minister intervened to stop those changes; however, residents are again contacting my office after hearing reports that other services at Maroondah Hospital may soon be relocated. These concerns are arising at a time when the redevelopment of Maroondah Hospital, promised at two separate elections, has still not commenced. My constituents need clarity.