A PLAN to merge Peninsula Health with four other health services under a new entity called Bayside Health to improve healthcare access has been green–lit by the state government.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced the approval of the voluntary merger of five health services including Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health, which will become effective from 1 January next year.
The decision follows a compelling case made by the services, demonstrating how uniting under one umbrella will enhance healthcare access, bring specialist services closer to home, and lead to better outcomes for patients.
This includes a new public melanoma clinic at Rosebud Hospital, where patients are now able to be seen and treated in the one appointment thanks to a partnership with Alfred Health and Peninsula Health. Currently operating monthly, the service is expected to expand over time.
Through Alfred Health and Peninsula Health, the two services are providing public neurosurgery consultations at Wonthaggi Hospital, bringing specialist care closer to home for residents in the Bass Coast region. This builds on an existing neurosurgery clinic at Frankston Hospital.
A new system to share patient information and resources across the five health services “will deliver faster care for patients”. Once a referral is accepted and a hospital bed is booked, patients will be transferred within 24 hours.
“The new service will give existing staff of all health services expanded career and training opportunities – helping recruit and retain staff,” the state government said in a statement.
“The merged health service will offer a full range of connected services, supported by the latest clinical trials and research, giving patients and families a simpler, more streamlined experience across the system.”
Recruitment for the incoming board is underway with members to include representatives from the existing boards of the five services. The new board will be responsible for appointing a chief executive officer.
Thomas said the approval was given as the five services “were able to clearly demonstrate how Bayside Health will deliver better health outcomes, easier access to specialist care, and a more seamless experience for the 1.2 million Victorians they service”.
“This is a great outcome for these communities as they’ll have one health service to better coordinate their patient journey – with improvements already being implemented on services ahead of the formal commencement date,” she said.
As reported by The Times, Alfred Health chief executive Adam Horsburgh said the new network would build on existing collaborative relationships across all three organisations (Peninsula Health to voluntarily merge, The Times 18/12/24).
“This positive change is a natural progression to better realise the power of partnership. It will build on the strong history of collaboration between our hospitals and will open greater opportunities to develop care,” he said.
The news comes as a $1.1b redevelopment and expansion of Frankston Hospital is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
First published in the Frankston Times – 9 September 2025
