Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In recent consultation in Indi, access to quality health services was nominated as a top priority. Today I am delighted to congratulate Albury Wodonga Health. In the last 12 months, under CEO Sue O'Neill, chair Lou Lieberman and the board, Albury Wodonga Health has been turned around, recording a profit of $1.2 million. It is a fantastic result because it is the first profit since the merger of Albury-Wodonga hospitals in 2009. The focus on elective and emergency care has helped the number of patients staying in the emergency department for more than 24 hours to drop and an additional operating theatre at the Albury hospital has had a positive result.

Albury Wodonga Health is one of the largest employers in the region, with more than 2,000 permanent and part-time staff responsible for 286 beds. I would also like to note the partnership between Albury Wodonga Health, the Victorian and New South Wales governments and GenesisCare to deliver world-class oncology treatment to over 700 cancer patients in north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. It is services like Albury Wodonga Health that demonstrate that we can work together across the Albury-Wodonga divide, New South Wales and Victoria, with Commonwealth support and deliver high quality, fantastic services in our community. I say to all at Albury Wodonga Health, great job, well done, we are so proud of you.