I rise to make a statement on the Kyneton District Health Service annual report
2007-08. The chief executive officer of the health service, Jennifer Gale,
indicates in the report that the service was brought in without a deficit,
largely due to a substantial funding allocation from the Department of Human
Services as well as to the staff, who were very vigilant in monitoring
expenditure and also the service generally.
The capital grant that was received from the Department of
Human Services provided a number of opportunities for the health service, but in
particular it was able to purchase replacement equipment for the operating
rooms, including a new anaesthetic machine and monitors, and new patient
trolleys.
Through the very generous support of the local community it was
also able to replace the laparoscopic camera system and many trays of
instruments. It now believes it has a state-of-the-art and very safe health
environment in which the staff will work. It has also gone on to install more
rainwater tanks and a gas boiler and has further refined the ozone laundry,
which makes unique use of electricity and oxygen in place of the chemicals that
are often used in laundries in hospitals.
We all know that partnerships are incredibly important, and
that is very true in the health services sector. During this reporting period we
saw a growing partnership between the health service and the Macedon Ranges
shire in providing access to more areas for the local community. A new
partnership was developed with the Bendigo Health Care Group, which offers
Bendigo patients who need surgery the opportunity to have it done at Kyneton.
We also saw a very innovative initiative undertaken at the
service. That was driven by a number of forces but particularly by the shortage
of skilled medical, nursing and midwifery staff. Essentially, that forced all
three groups to come together and create a multidisciplinary team to develop a
midwifery program, which developed access to antenatal care in each part of the
shire. It involves general practitioners, obstetricians and midwives working
together as a team to provide the best possible care they can for women. I was
also particularly pleased to note that the program was awarded a national award
for the fantastic work that the people providing it have been able to do.
We also saw a major increase — 8 per cent — in the number of
patients being treated at the centre, with 4688 patients in total being treated.
There was an increase of 4 per cent in emergency presentations and a massive 59
per cent increase in palliative care services, which I think indicates how the
local people trust the staff at the hospital to work with them and relieve their
pain.
Like many small rural health services, the Kyneton service also
undertakes the difficult task of staying within a tight budget and yet providing
quality and safety for patients in its care. Again, in this reporting period the
service was able to deliver. It developed partnerships so that new and flexible
outcomes could meet the new and necessary challenges.
I take this opportunity to thank the president, Noel Harvey,
OAM, whom I have met in many capacities including as councillor and mayor, the
chief executive officer, Jennifer Gale, and the board of management and all
staff at the health service for their commitment to their wonderful local
hospital, their professionalism, care and vision that will continue to serve
well the good people of Kyneton and surrounds for a very long time to come.
