18 Dec Health Minister Jenny Mikakos visits Timboon

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has stressed the importance of families accessing care that is close to home, during a visit to Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) today.

Ms Mikakos spent a couple of hours with TDHS chief executive officer Rebecca Van Wollingen and Board chair Maryanne Puli Vogels.

She toured the health service, chatted with staff and discussed the challenges, opportunities and future of multipurpose services like TDHS.

“It was a pleasure to meet the hard-working nurses and staff at Timboon and District Healthcare Service,” she said.

“Our nurses and doctors care for us when we need it most, so it’s essential we give them the support they deserve.

“I came to listen and learn about their future aspirations, so we can do everything that’s necessary to ensure local families get the very best care, closer to home.”

 
Ms Van Wollingen said the meeting was productive and it was a great opportunity to speak directly with the Minister.

“It was a perfect opportunity for me, as the new CEO, to hear first-hand how the Government is planning for the future of healthcare in regional areas like ours,” she said.

“There are only seven multipurpose services like ours in Victoria and our model is quite different from other public hospitals. We have different opportunities, different challenges and work very closely, and in partnership, with our communities to deliver quality care.

“Ms Mikakos was very reassuring about the critical role TDHS plays in the region and we spent much of our time talking through our strategic plan and long-term future.”

Ms Puli Vogels said the visit was a real boon for TDHS and had served to bolster the organisation’s direct relationship with the Minister and her office.

“The Minister was wonderful, very engaging and it was great from my point of view, and that of the Board, to see our new CEO building that relationship,” she said.

“It is one of Bek’s great strengths to foster important relationships and there’s few more important than the Victorian Health Minister so I’m really happy – it’s been a great day for TDHS.”

Photo: Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos enjoys a tour of Timboon and District Healthcare Service with CEO Rebecca Van Wollingen and Board Chair Maryanne Puli Vogels.