West Wimmera Health Service recently hosted their Annual General Meeting at their Jeparit facility, reporting a break-even operating result for the 2023/24 financial year and expanding their service delivery, despite facing funding challenges.
Board President, Katherine Colbert explained that the Victorian Government’s Health Services Plan and funding challenges made for uncertain times, yet the Service was able to achieve excellence at an operational level, whilst juggling all that health services in Victoria faced.
“I’m proud that we were able to ensure our financial obligations were met without compromising the service we provide,” Ms Colbert said.
“Thanks to our dedicated staff across all division and sites, we’ve been able to ensure our region remains a place where people can access quality healthcare close to home.”
CEO Ritchie Dodds reinforced the message, stating the additional services the Service was able to deliver to ensure people in the Wimmera have access to quality health care.
“We’ve taken big steps in expanding our service offering, including taking over the running of Commonwealth Home Support Packages across the Hindmarsh Shire, and have made good progress across our capital projects such as the Rupanyup Nursing Home Redevelopment and Nhill Operating Theatre and general infrastructure upgrades across all of our facilities,” Mr Dodds said.
“We’ve kept the ball rolling this year with the opening of an Outside School Hours Care service, which provides more flexibility to our workforce, and we’re on track to take over the delivery of maternal and child health services across the Yarriambiack Shire, plus the possibility of resuming general surgery in Nhill in 2025.”
In closing, Mr Dodds thanked and commended all involved with West Wimmera Health Service over the 2023-2024 financial year.
