Bush nursing hospitals provide critical services to rural and regional communities 

Bush nursing hospitals have a long history in Victoria, providing care to otherwise under-resourced towns across regional and rural Victoria in different capacities since 1910. We were pleased to visit one of the state’s few remaining not-for-profit bush nursing hospitals at Neerim District Health Service (NDHS). Currently, NDHS specialise in providing ophthalmology, endoscopy and dental services to the communities of the Baw Baw Shire and greater Gippsland. NDHS is also one of the largest employers in the area.   

During our visit, we met with CEO Andrea Linden and Director of Clinical Services Lauren Mucic. We were pleased to discuss the role of this vital service in supporting the community and how they work with neighbouring health services across the Gippsland region. We also spoke of the opportunity for NDHS to work collaboratively with the new Local Health Service Networks on 1 July. While not in scope of the Health Services Plan, NDHS is an important rural health service provider and we look forward to working with them  to in understand how they can support Networks as a service delivery partner.

 

Using the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund to meet community needs 

Late in the afternoon on day 1 of our tour, we arrived in Foster to visit CEO Paul Greenhalgh at South Gippsland Hospital (SGH). SGH services the communities of Foster, Corner Inlet and surrounding areas including Wilson’s Promontory.  

In the last six years, SGH has been proactively utilising grant funding opportunities like the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) to adapt their service to current and future community needs. This includes the purchase of generators, replacement of smoke alarms and repainting, as well as upgrades to their Acute Ward which are currently underway. These projects will allow SGH to continue to provide exceptional care as the community grows and changes.  

I was pleased to hear of their enthusiasm to support the new Gippsland Local Health Service Network, including working with the Gippsland Health Alliance to upgrade their systems to transition to be fully serviced by Electronic Medical Records.   

 

Adapting to a growing community 

To kick off day 2 of our tour we were lucky to be welcomed by the team at Bass Coast Health. 

During our meeting, we learnt of interesting and important changes in the local community. Wonthaggi is one of the fastest growing populations in Victoria and is anticipating a 33% rise by 2036. For a health service like BCH, this means considering innovative ways to provide care at home and expanding services to meet the growing community need.  

The first stage of BCH’s redevelopment opened in 2022, including a purpose-built Emergency Department which has seen a 20% increase in presentations since opening. Likewise, their expanded integrated cancer care unit hit throughput within 18 months. 

BCH has a big year ahead, with the planned amalgamation into ‘Bayside’ and it was pleasing to hear of the resounding support from both staff and community for these upcoming changes, appreciating it is a complex change and there will be a lot of work ahead to get the Service design right. 

New opportunities under the ‘Bayside Health’ amalgamation 

After a short but scenic drive we arrived at Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS) for the second visit of the day. GSHS offers acute care, residential aged care, diagnostic services and outpatient care for their local community. Along with BCH, GSHS will be amalgamating with the Alfred under the new ‘Bayside’ health service.   

While preparation is underway for the amalgamation (1 January 2026), services are working together to identify how they can best collaborate with neighbouring services, while considering the specific needs of their communities. Acknowledging this is a process that will not be complete by 1 January 2026, GSHS is working very closely with health services across the region to strengthen and build upon existing partnerships. 

For GSHS, the amalgamation presents an opportunity for growth in services for the local community, including utilisation of both their Leongatha and Korumburra campuses.  

Utilising the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department to make care more accessible

We wrapped up our tour with a visit to Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service (KRHS), welcomed by acting CEO Aileen Thoms. We were pleased to hear about their current service offerings including aged care, early parenting support, sub-acute/post-surgery and also the vision for the future of this service under the ‘Bayside’ amalgamation.  

The profile of the local community has changed substantially over the past decade with the average age in the area dropping from 76- to 39- years. This is due to an influx of families and young people to the area and also brings changing healthcare needs. Despite this changing demographic, KRHS remains a significant provider of aged care and will support implementation of the new rights-based Aged Care Act on 1 July, including delivering the new Support at Home program.   

KRHS currently utilises the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department to access care for non-life-threatening emergencies. The upcoming ‘Bayside’ amalgamation presents an opportunity to increase virtual medical support including telehealth services and after-hours support.  

 

 

Shared challenges across the region 

Although the services we visited are diverse in their service offerings and community needs, there are some common challenges. For those operating in the aged care space, strategic planning is underway to prepare for the implementation of Support at Home program on 1 July 2025. While services can maintain their pricing arrangements in the interim, there is an opportunity to learn from other reform transitions like the NDIS.  

The year ahead is one of significant change within the healthcare system in this region, however it was positive to see the excitement from services about the opportunities presented by the ‘Bayside’ amalgamation and the move to Local Health Service Networks for the Gippsland region. 

Thank you to Neerim District Health Service, South Gippsland Hospital, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service and Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service for hosting us and sharing such important insights.