mmg.com.au

Cobram District Health will suffer a $78000 funding cut before the end of June.

This comes as a devastating blow for the health services and wider community.

Cobram District Health board president Jennie Gould confirmed a report in the Cobram Courier in November that predicted cuts would be made.

‘‘The Federal Government are saying it’s to do with population decline,’’ she said.

‘‘Because of this, there is less funding available.’’

Chief executive Craig De Lacy said that measures are being taken to avoid losses.

‘‘The health service is hopeful that these cuts can be absorbed and that services will not be reduced,’’ he said.

Mrs Gould said an internal restructure, not involving job losses, but job roles, was a possible option.

‘‘We are not sure how we are going to do it, but we are trying to do it internally,’’ she said.

‘‘We are looking at rearranging and restructuring.’’

Unfortunately, this funding cut won’t be the last for Cobram District Health.

Health services across the state will be affected.

‘‘The funding reduction is recurrent,’’ Mr De Lacy said.

‘‘All organisations need to respond to changed circumstances and we will be looking for cost saving.’’

Although it is to be avoided, there are concerns for Cobram’s health services.

‘‘Our greatest concern at the moment is the possibility that service reductions could become necessary, but we are trying to avoid this,’’ Mr De Lacy said.

Mrs Gould reiterated the impact of the funding cut.

‘‘For a smaller hospital this is a lot of money.’’

‘‘We don’t want to cut services in the community.’’