Historic AGM for Bass Coast Health

It was standing room only, and an historic occasion last Thursday when Bass Coast Health (BCH) held its AGM.

Over sixty people attended the meeting, the last AGM for BCH before the Bayside Health merger, which takes place on January 1.

In a nod to the change ahead, the new Chief Executive of the Bayside Health, Adjunct Prof Adam Horsburgh, along with Chair of the Bayside Health Board, The Hon Martin Foley, were in attendance.

The AGM was followed by an Open Access meeting, giving the community the opportunity to ask questions of the current BCH management, Mr Foley and Prof Horsburgh.

BCH Board Chair Ian Thompson ran the AGM, which included a Welcome to Country from Josh West of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) and presentations from Interim CEO Simone Alexander, Board members Julia Oxley and Ian Leong.

Mr Thompson used the opportunity to reflect on the history of the health service - "where we have come from and those who contributed to the success" - in light of the upcoming merger.

He said the great range of services provided by BCH would continue.

"We won't exist as a brand name, but the sites and staff will still exist and be providing the care the community needs," he said, adding the new Bayside Health Network will care for 1.2 million people.

Decade of progress

Looking back over the 10 years since he joined the board, Mr Thompson said enormous progress had been made.

When he started, "Bass Coast Health was placed on watch by the Department of Health, and was struggling a bit", noting that ageing infrastructure, weak financials and workforce constraints were major issues for the organisation.

He thanked the state and federal governments and donors for their financial support, which had helped the service live up to its potential.

Key achievements included building the new hospital, the local cancer centre (staffed by Alfred Health), and the Phillip Island Health Hub.

"The Community Hospital at Phillip Island will be the only one within the Bayside group," he said.

Mr Thompson said the focus on quality and clinical efficiency had seen the activity levels of BCH rise by 300 per cent over the 10-year period.

With an older population, he said the region had a higher incidence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and mental health.

The new Bayside Health network would deepen capacity while looking at which services were needed locally.

"The board's view is being part of the Bayside network was in the interest of the community," Mr Thompson said. "What matters most is the community and health needs."

A video presentation, narrated by former Board member Don Paproth, provided an historical overview of the local health service, from its start in tents in 1911.

Annual Report

Mr Thompson said the final Annual Report for Bass Coast Health had been audited and presented to state parliament.

He said although the organisation recorded a loss of $800,000, it was a big improvement from the $3.2 million loss recorded the previous financial year.

The organisation has a $180 million capital base, but Mr Thompson said its most important asset was the staff, noting staff numbers were up by 10 per cent.

He described the last year as one of "change and growth", saying he was "struck by how far we have come".

Key achievements for the 2024/25 financial year included being named the Premier's Medium Health Service of the Year at the Victorian Public Health Awards, securing $5 million funding for staff accommodation, re-accreditation of Kirrak House and Griffiths Point Lodge residential aged care facilities and enhancing services for First Peoples.

There was an acknowledgement of former CEO Jan Childs, who was thanked for her dedication, and the work of interim CEO Prof Simone Alexander.

Prof Alexander listed the establishment of the Phillip Island Community Hospital as a key achievement, saying it was "something to be celebrated".

She said the new hospital meant islanders would be able to "get the care they need without leaving the island".

Other achievements included the new Paediatrics and Neonatal Outpatient Rapid Access clinics and the expanded surgery provided by BCH.

She also spoke of the improvements in targets in the ED and ambulance offloading times.

"I am proud of what we have achieved. I know I leave it ready for this next chapter, joining Bayside Health."

Mr Thompson thanked Prof Alexander for her dedication.

"She has been embraced by our community. Thank you for your enormous contribution."

Chair of the Community Advisory Committee, Mim Kershaw said the group would provide a strong community voice to the newly formed health network.

"We are very supportive of the merger. It is a fantastic opportunity for our community."

Donations

Board member Julie Oxley acknowledged the contribution of volunteers and donors to BCH, describing them as "the heartbeat of a thriving public health service".

There are currently 140 active volunteers, as well as five auxiliary groups, including the San Remo Op Shop and the Phillip Island Community Hospital auxiliaries.

She said the groups had raised $236,000 in the past year.

In total, Ms Oxley said $1.2 million had been donated by the community, including an anonymous donation of $921,000 for medical imaging equipment at the new Phillip Island Community Hospital.

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