The biggest community health shake-up in the west in decades is under way as Western Region Health Centre merges with Doutta Galla Community Health and North Yarra Community Health.
The WRHC board has voted in favour of creating a single organisation that will service about one-third of Melbourne.
Western Region Health chief executive Lyn Morgain said the three organisations had worked hard over the past year to ensure the new organisation would deliver benefits for local communities as well as staff.
“Uniting three strong, values-based agencies will not only deliver a larger organisation that can compete more effectively for funding, it will also give us the means to be a more influential advocate for accessible and equitable local health services.”
WRHC operates from 19 sites across Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Melton, Wyndham and Hume, serving about 15,000 people a year.
Ms Morgain said the new organisation would have about 700 staff and about $70 million to spend on improving the health of the most disadvantaged.
“I think there have been very significant changes in the funding environment. It’s an increasingly competitive environment and we need to be in a position to ensure that there continues to be a voice for health inequalities and the marginalised.”
Clients are unlikely to notice any real difference, she explained, with most changes to the organisations being made behind the scenes.
Staff have begun working together to streamline internal systems and develop joint funding applications. No immediate staff losses are expected in the merger, which comes as WRHC was named Victoria’s top primary health service at the 2013 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
Health Minister David Davis said the centre had been recognised for its work in refugee health, gay and lesbian health, and preventing family violence.
“In addition, the centre delivers innovative statewide programs such as the Refugee Health Nurse Co-ordination and Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative, as well as providing leadership through the Health Champions project.”
