New Era Brings Success For Health Service
30 October 2006
In their report to the Annual Meeting of Western District Health Service Board President Mr. Richard Walter and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jim Fletcher said “the amalgamation of Coleraine District Health Service with Western District Health Service was the beginning of a new era for health service delivery in the Southern Grampians Shire”.
The amalgamation was one of the many major highlights and achievements outlined in the Annual Report that also included:
- Development of Strategic and Service Plans for the next five years,
- Progression of Coleraine and Merino facilities redevelopment with the completion of Master, Feasibility and Business Plans,
- Establishment of contemporary health service models of care through the expansion of the Sustainable Farm Families project, commencement of Chronic Disease Management, Stroke and Team Midwifery Shared Care programs.
- Strengthening of Obstetric services with the recruitment of two General Practitioners practising Obstetrics,
- Reaccreditation of all Aged Care Services at Coleraine for a further three years,
- Reaccreditation of Hamilton Base Hospital as a Baby Friendly Service for another three years,
- Recruitment of new General Practitioners for Penshurst and Coleraine,
- Completion of a $400,000 upgrade of heating, ventilation and cooling at Hamilton Base Hospital,
- Recording a $282,000 operating budget surplus whilst exceeding the funded acute inpatients target by 3.63%.
Another major feature reported for the year was the range and variety of organisational and individual awards made to the Health Service including Victorian Primary Healthcare, Victorian Public Healthcare, RMIT University Regional Research, VHA True Professional, Victorian Travelling Fellowship, Victorian Midwife of the Year, Rural Health Week Volunteer, National Annual Reporting, local Business Achievement and Rotary Pride of Workmanship.
Other highlights outlined in the report were the record fundraising year with $1.729m raised, the Annual Handbury lecture on the Modern Miracle of Transplants delivered by Professor Robert Jones of the Austin Hospital and the Health Service lead role in Sub Regional and Regional developments including the roll out of payroll system to Barwon Health Geelong and Portland District Health, launch of $1.9m Virtual Service Project by Premier Bracks and support for the recently announced Deakin Rural and Regional Medical School.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a Life Governor Award to Mr. Richard Walter AM for his outstanding service in his roles as Hospital Administrator from December 1995 to June 1997 and President of the Board of Directors from 1 July 1997, a position that he still currently holds. The Guest Speaker for the evening ex State Premier the Honourable Jeffery Kennett presented the award to Mr. Walter.
The Health Service excellence awards were made to the Midwifery Team for their Team Midwifery Model of Care and the Penshurst Catering Service for the development and implementation of their new menu. The staff fundraising award was made to Julia Stephens.
PHOTO: WDHS Board President and new Life Governor Richard Walter, Annual Meeting guest speaker, Chairman of BeyondBlue Jeff Kennett and Chief Executive Officer Jim Fletcher.