The boards of Alexandra District Health and Eastern Health are working together to explore how they can strengthen healthcare for their communities and connect care for a healthy tomorrow.
Alexandra District Health board chair Kim Flanagan said the exploration builds on the strong partnership already in place through the East Metro and Murrindindi Local Health Service Network, which is beginning to deliver real benefits for their local communities.
“Through our long-term partnership with Eastern Health, we have brought specialist oncology consulting and infusion services to Alexandra, coordinated graduate nurse programs, and a staff learning platform,” Mr Flanagan said.
“Exploring a voluntary amalgamation is the next step in considering how we can build on this progress to secure sustainable, high-quality care for people living in Alexandra and its surrounding communities.”
Eastern Health board chair Eugene Arocca said both boards were focused on what matters most – stronger healthcare for the community.
“Eastern Health is deeply connected to its community and has enhanced services to provide more care locally.
“Our shared focus with Alexandra District Health is to strengthen healthcare in the region. Exploring a voluntary amalgamation is about testing how we can bring more specialist care closer to home, make it easier for patients to get the right care when they need it, and create more training opportunities for staff to grow their skills and career to help attract and retain a strong workforce.”
As part of the exploration, the boards are looking at how services could be strengthened and expanded, such as bringing more visiting specialists to Alexandra, improving local access to XRay and ultrasound, enhancing community health services support, and improving patient information systems to provide a seamless patient experience.
There are no plans to cut jobs or reduce existing services.
Staff will remain in their current roles and locations but could benefit from new opportunities and expanded training if a voluntary amalgamation was approved.
Engagement with staff, stakeholders and the communities serviced by both health organisations will happen from 6 to 21 November 2025.
People will have the chance to provide feedback through a survey, by email or at several local tea talk sessions.
Learn more about the community engagement program at connectingcare.net.
“Above all, this process is about better health outcomes and making sure our communities can continue to access the care they need, close to home,” Mr Flanagan said.
Pending the outcomes of the exploration and community engagement, any future proposal would require ministerial approval.
