The Bass Coast Health (BCH) community celebrated the sub-regional public health service at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Open Access Meeting on Thursday 27 November.
The event not only commemorated the health service’s growth and achievements throughout the 2024-25 financial year but also marked the last AGM before BCH becomes part of the new Bayside Health service from 1 January 2026.
BCH Board Chair Ian Thompson said the opening of the new expanded Urgent Care Centre in the Phillip Island Community Hospital in June marked a new chapter in the provision of public healthcare.
“Working with the Victorian Health Building Authority, Department of Health and the Victorian State Government, stage one delivered an expanded Urgent Care Centre and pathology in time for the school holidays,” Mr Thompson said.
“Radiology services began in July 2025 and we now look forward to delivering the second stage that will feature a public dental service, chemotherapy/dialysis and operating theatres early in 2026.”
A highlight of 2024 was BCH being named the Premier’s Medium Health Service of the Year at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
“The judges noted that while we provide quality care to our community, what set us apart were our strong community partnerships,” Mr Thompson said.
“Our partnerships are vital, and there is no doubt we could not have achieved what we have if we didn’t enjoy the exceptional collaboration and support that we do.”
BCH was excited to receive $5 million in State funding to construct a Staff Accommodation Facility. Located to the west of Kirrak House at Wonthaggi Hospital, this facility will provide contemporary, hotel-style accommodation for health workers and their families.
Continuing the theme of change, BCH farewelled Jan Child as CEO in October 2024 after eight years of dedicated service.
BCH Interim CEO Simone Alexander said, “Jan was instrumental in driving growth in services, enhancing clinical pathways and partnerships, and significant infrastructure development, confirming BCH’s role as a sub-regional health service.
“We thank her for her tremendous commitment, vision and leadership during her years of service. It is recognised, valued and deeply appreciated.”
Mr Thompson thanked Professor Alexander who has served as Interim CEO of BCH since December last year.
“Since joining BCH, Simone has enhanced processes, strengthened clinical pathways, engaged with our community, and overseen the completion of stage one of the Phillip Island Community Hospital and the launch of our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan during National Reconciliation Week in May,” he said.
Other achievements of note throughout the 2024-25 financial year have been:
• maintaining accreditation under the National Safety & Quality in Health Service Standards.
• re-accreditation of our two residential aged care facilities, Griffiths Point Lodge and Kirrak House.
• establishing a new Paediatric and Neonatal Outpatient Rapid Access Clinic.
• enhancing services for First Peoples, and
• increasing general surgery and gynaecological clinics, introducing dedicated stroke rehabilitation beds.
“We expanded our range of services by increasing our general surgery and gynaecology clinics, introducing sleep studies and respiratory specialist outpatient clinics, and adding extra nephrology, infectious diseases and neurological services,” Mr Thompson said.
Our staff are the backbone of our health service and BCH further embedded the ‘grow your own’ model to enhance staff’s skills and to enhance the workforce.
“More staff are enrolled at the BCH and Federation University Blended Campus to obtain or enhance their nursing qualifications, and we strengthened our partnership with Australian Catholic University, where our nurses are undertaking postgraduate studies to enhance the care we offer to our patients,” Mr Thompson said.
“Our nursing workforce was boosted significantly by 37 new staff from overseas who responded to our international recruitment campaign. They came from such countries as United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, India and Kuwait, and have settled in well.”
BCH was fortunate to receive substantial support from volunteers who help BCH to deliver many services, from transport driving and wayfinding, to fundraising. Auxiliaries worked hard to raise funds so that BCH could deliver enhanced care. BCH was thrilled to receive fundraising support from many people in the community.
Looking to the future, the public healthcare outlook for the Bass Coast region is strong, with Bayside Health to drive better health outcomes for our community.
“We will also continue to work with the Victorian Health Building Authority to progress the Master Plan, Feasibility Study and Business Case for Stage Two of the Wonthaggi Hospital Expansion, and eagerly await the opening of our Staff Accommodation Facility,” Mr Thompson said.
Other highlights of the AGM were a video depicting the history of Wonthaggi Hospital, narrated by former board chair Don Paproth, as well as a poem dedicated to the staff of BCH, and the community’s connection to it, written and read by BCH Consumer Associate, Terry Shannon.