In a significant reorganization of Victoria's healthcare landscape, the state government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to restructure its health service networks.

This new framework, announced by Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, aims to address healthcare accessibility and efficiency across the state’s urban and rural communities.

After months of thorough consultations with hospitals, medical professionals, and local councils—many of whom initially resisted the proposed changes—the finalized plan introduces 12 health networks.

Each network is strategically designed to support a population base of at least 200,000, without mandating a merger of Victoria's 76 independent government health services.

This decision was made in response to widespread public opposition encountered after the original proposal in May 2024.

Minister Thomas emphasized the initiative's focus on enhancing healthcare delivery, particularly addressing the needs of Victoria's rural and regional population.

"This program is engineered to ensure enhanced access to healthcare, especially for those in rural and regional Victoria," she revealed on Friday.

Notably, each health entity will maintain its autonomy, retaining its own identity and management board.

To streamline operations, however, back-office functions may be consolidated where feasible to foster collaboration and operational efficiency.

The restructuring also prioritizes four key areas: access and flow, workforce management, clinical governance, and overall sustainability.

A notable change includes the division of the Hume region, which comprises 13 health services, including Albury Wodonga Health and Goulburn Valley Health, into two subregions following a successful community campaign.

Albury Wodonga Health is set to lead in providing complex care for the Ovens Murray subregion, while Goulburn Valley Health will serve the Goulburn Valley area.

Wodonga Mayor Michael Gobel expressed approval of the recognition that the Hume region serves two distinct communities with unique healthcare demands.

"We have different needs and cater to different communities," Gobel stated, though he sought further clarity on how these changes will impact decision-making and service delivery.

The plan also reflects regional preferences in south-east Victoria, with Gippsland Southern Health Service and Bass Coast Health now integrated into the Bayside group, aligning them more closely with their metropolitan counterparts, Alfred Health.

The government's initial strategy featured 11 networks; however, community feedback has led to a twelfth subsidiary through the division of the Barwon South West region into Barwon and South West networks.

Dr. Jill Tomlinson, president of the Australian Medical Association in Victoria, noted that the restructuring could potentially bring about improved healthcare service delivery and long-term savings, but cautioned that initial implementation would require substantial investment and skill.

Despite resistance to formal mergers, Alfred Health, Peninsula Health, and Kooweerup Regional Health have voluntarily merged into the new Bayside Health entity, effective January 1 next year.

Leigh Clarke, chief executive of the Victorian Healthcare Association, acknowledged the adaptability shown by the government and the health sector in reshaping network proposals to meet community preferences while achieving operational efficiencies.

However, questions remain, particularly regarding logistics, such as shared staffing and IT services.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier expressed concerns over potential implications for patient care and access, particularly in centralized services.

This sweeping reform is expected to come into effect from July 1, with planning and implementation efforts now underway, casting a spotlight on how Victoria adapts to its new healthcare configuration while striving for enhanced outcomes across the state.