State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has called on the Rural Doctors Association of Victoria to advocate for their reopening.
The call follows a meeting in parliament with RDAV president Dr Louise Manning to discuss critical challenges facing regional maternity care.
The discussion centred on the re-establishment of Benalla’s maternity service, concerns over reduced operating hours at Kilmore maternity, and ongoing patient transport delays that are preventing people from accessing essential care.
Ms Cleeland urged the RDAV to help mediate a resolution and assist in securing the employment of a GP obstetrician in Benalla, warning that the town was now one of the largest populations in regional Victoria without a maternity service.
“Without local maternity care, women lose choice in labour and face increased risks by being forced to travel long distances to give birth,” Ms Cleeland said.
The meeting also addressed delays with the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme and non-urgent patient transport, which have left patients stranded and unable to attend vital treatments such as chemotherapy and dialysis.
Ms Cleeland said she would continue to push for regional health improvements, including restoring Benalla maternity services, securing fairer patient transport access, delivering overdue PET scanners for Wangaratta, and strengthening support for regional doctors.
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