General News
23 April, 2025
Horsham hospital services questioned
Concerns circulating in the community follow rumours that the future of the Wimmera Base Hospital kitchen in Horsham is in doubt.
Rumours that some meals were being prepared in Ballarat and transported to Horsham raised concerns that meal preparation could follow the same path as the laundry services downgraded last year.
The Mail-Times contacted Grampians Health for clarification, and a spokesperson said the facilities were not being downgraded despite rumours circulating in the community.
However, the spokesperson did not address the question of meals being prepared in Ballarat.
"Kitchen facilities are not being downgraded at our Horsham campus," a spokesperson said.
"Our dietitians are currently reviewing the menu to align with newly released food standards.
"This review also aims to ensure consistency in recipes across all campuses while continuing to provide nutritious and high-quality meals to our patients."
The statement also stated that no jobs at the Horsham kitchen were being impacted.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the rumours were not true.
"Food for the Wimmera Base Hospital continues to be prepared in Horsham," the spokesperson said.
"Grampians Health is currently reviewing its menu to ensure it aligns with the Health Choices: policy directive for Victorian public health services – this aims to increase the range of healthy food options for patients."
Similarly, rumours circulated in 2024 that laundry services were under threat and were being carried out in Ballarat.
After statements that the changes were temporary due to machinery failure, in February 2025, Grampians Health CEO Dale Fraser released a statement that confirmed Grampians Health would change the linen services at the Horsham campus following a significant equipment breakdown and prohibitive replacement or repair costs.
He said there would be a transition from a full laundering service to a smaller laundry and distribution centre in Horsham from May 2025 onwards.
Addressing rumours about the kitchen, Dr Anne Webster said, " The rumours about services shifting from Wimmera Base Hospital are yet another facet of Labor's scorched earth approach to regional health and the Mallee in general.
"Centralisation of health services does not work or serve local communities well," she said.
"The Nationals have just announced during this federal election campaign that we will establish the Regional Australia Future Fund (RAFF) with $29 billion to fund every year, local health service retention and expansion, among other RAFF priorities."
Dr Webster said she was committed as Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health to address the dire regional health workforce shortage of doctors, nurses, and support staff.
"The $9 billion injection into Medicare and health services, election promise, by the Liberal-National Coalition, would make seeing a doctor quicker and closer to home," she said.
