Bayside merger and Local Health Service Networks – what you need to know
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Last updated 10 November 2025.
Inaugural Chief Executive of Bayside Health appointed
The Designate Board of Bayside Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Adjunct Prof Adam Horsburgh as the inaugural Chief Executive of the new Bayside Health.
Prof Horsburgh brings extensive leadership in Victoria’s public health system to this new role. Currently Chief Executive of Alfred Health, he was previously Chief Executive of Austin Health and served as Interim Chief Executive of Melbourne Health.
This appointment marks a significant milestone in establishing Bayside Health, which will unite five existing health services into a single, integrated health service from 1 January 2026.
The merger brings together Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health.
Chair of the Designate Board, the Hon Martin Foley, said Prof Horsburgh’s appointment reflects a commitment to strong, experienced system leadership during a time of transformation.
“Our goal is to better connect quality care for the 1.2 million Victorians living across this health service’s community, and to do so through collaboration," Mr Foley said.
Prof Horsburgh said he was delighted to accept the new role, which will start from 1 January 2026 when Bayside Health is officially formed.
“In the coming weeks, I will meet with many employees and community members,” Prof Horsburgh said.
“It will be an opportunity to listen to their experiences and learn more about their priorities for healthcare.
“Already, we can see benefits emerging of how we can make access to quality care even easier and more convenient for many in our community.”
Associate Professor Simone Alexander, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Bass Coast Health, said, "This Chief Executive appointment is great news for our new health service. With Prof Horsburgh at the helm, we are in safe hands as we work through our transformation into Bayside Health.
"His broad experience across multiple health services will position Bayside Health as a leading health service across metro, suburban and regional areas.
"He is a strong advocate for health equity no matter where people live as well as easy access to high-quality care: that is our goal.”
Adjunct Prof Adam Horsburgh is the inaugural Chief Executive of the new Bayside Health.
Health services welcome the new Bayside Board
We welcome the Victorian Minister for Health’s announcement of the inaugural board and board chair for Bayside Health.
Starting on 1 January 2026, Bayside Health will bring together Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health into one unified service which will care for more than 1.2 million Victorians.
Its aim is to improve health outcome, increase access to care and provide a more connected healthcare experience.
The new board includes directors from the five merging health services and brings a broad skill set across governance, health, comunity and finance. Importantly, it includes strong regional and First Nations representation.
The Hon Martin Foley, currently Alfred Health’s Board Chair, has been appointed as chair of the new board, bringing his extensive experience in the health sector to the role.
While responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, accountability and governance of the new health service, the first task for the designate board is to appoint Bayside Health’s Chief Executive.
The new Bayside Health Board includes:
- The Hon Martin Foley, Board Chair, Alfred Health
- Ms Karen Corry, Board Chair, Peninsula Health
- Ms Athina Georgiou, Board Chair, Gippsland Southern Health Service
- Mr Peter Joyce, Director, Peninsula Health
- Ms Kirsten Mander, Director, Peninsula Health
- Ms Linda McCrorey, Deputy Chair, Gippsland Southern Health Service
- Prof Christina Mitchell AO, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University and Director, Alfred Health
- Mr Kushal Shah, Board Chair, Kooweerup Regional Health Service
- Ms Chloe Shorten, Deputy Chair, Alfred Health
- Ms Karinda Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing
- Mr Ian Thompson, Board Chair, Bass Coast Health.
When Bayside Health officially begins on 1 January 2026, it will serve a broad region spanning Melbourne’s southern suburbs and the Bayside area, through the Mornington Peninsula, and extending to Kooweerup, Phillip Island, Bass Coast and Gippsland.
Our five existing health services are already collaborating to better connect care, enhance patient experience, and identify opportunities to deliver more services closer to home.
Importantly, all staff from each health service will transition to Bayside Health on 1 January 2026. Our hospitals and healthcare sites will continue to operate under their existing names, with the same staff delivering the same trusted care for their communities.
We are building a stronger, more connected health system together.
Alfred Health | Bass Coast Health| Gippsland Southern Health Service | Kooweerup Regional Health Service | Peninsula Health
Victoria’s Local Health Service Networks began on 1 July
Local Health Service Networks (LHSN) commenced operation from 1 July 2025. This is part of the government’s Health Service reform plan that will see the creation of 12 new local health service networks.
Bass Coast Health is part of the Bayside Local Health Service Network, which will link the five health services that will become part of Bayside Health, along with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem.
This is separate to our merged health service which will start operation from 1 January 2026. You can read more about the Local Health Service Networks on the health department’s website.
In the media:
basscoasthealth.org.au/news/health-services-welcome-new-bayside-board
basscoasthealth.org.au/news/bass-coast-health-and-gippsland-southern-health-service-join-merger