October 25, 2023Kilmore District Health and Northern Health to deliver better health care together.
Kilmore District Health and Northern Health boards welcome the Victorian Government’s approval for the two health services to unite as an amalgamated service. The new service will officially begin on 1 November 2023.
Under the new structure, Kilmore District Health will become a campus of Northern Health, joining its existing network of services across Craigieburn, Bundoora, Broadmeadows, Epping, Mill Park, Preston and Mernda. While under the Northern Health brand, the service itself will be known as Kilmore District Hospital.
This voluntary amalgamation builds upon the existing partnership between the two services which has been jointly serving the community of Mitchell Shire for many years.
An amalgamation between the services will ensure greater coordination of care across the Outer North and focus on meeting the community’s future healthcare needs.
It will deliver more care closer to home, attract and retain an experienced workforce and provide greater career development opportunities and employment flexibility for staff.
Jennifer Gilham, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Kilmore District Health, welcomes the State Government’s approval of the amalgamation.
“It is clear that working together is the best way to care for our rapidly growing community. By collaborating, we can expand our services to meet the needs of our patients. This means patients can receive care in a familiar setting, from familiar faces, and closer to home,” said Ms Gilham.
Northern Health’s Chief Executive, Siva Sivarajah, also welcomes the decision by the Victorian Government, saying that staff and the community can now expect a greater breadth of care locally.
“This is a natural next step in our partnership. I look forward to welcoming the staff and community to Northern Health. We already care for the same community, and the community and staff know our services well. So, we are confident we can deliver better care together – and not apart.”
Kilmore District Health Board Chair, Gillian Leach, praised the community and staff for their contribution to the service and welcomed the decision to join Northern Health.
“The community has been involved every step of the way – this is a win for our community, and we can be proud of the outstanding care Kilmore District Health has and will continue to provide in the future.”
Northern Health Board Chair, Jennifer Williams AM, also welcomed the decision and is looking forward to leading the expanded health service.
“This enhanced partnership presents a real opportunity to strengthen the way care is delivered for our catchment. We must find new ways to innovate and improve healthcare outcomes for all,” said Ms Williams.
“Our immediate focus is developing an integrated Strategic Plan and Clinical Service Plan. We want to develop a shared vision for the future. We can only do this together with Kilmore District Health, bringing together the voices of our staff and the community,” added Ms Williams.
Northern Health reaffirms its commitment to:
- The maintenance of local name and identity for Kilmore District Hospital.
- There will be no reduction in staffing levels as a direct result of the amalgamation. Staff will continue to work when and where they work today, unless they wish to change.
- Delivering care closer to home by increasing the ways local residents can access care in their local community and introducing more specialist services, which many Kilmore residents are already accessing at Northern Health.
- With more young families in the local community, we are committed to introducing a paediatric outpatient service at Kilmore to provide better care for children, closer to home.
- By strengthening local maternity services, more women will be able to give birth in Kilmore.
- Access to tertiary care will be streamlined through collaboration and improved communication.
- Engaging with staff and community to develop an integrated Strategic Plan and Clinical Service Plan within the first 12 months of an amalgamation.
- A positive and sustainable workplace for all. Our health workers are the backbone of care. We are committed to providing enhanced training and development opportunities for our staff to develop their careers.
