COMMUNITIES in South Gippsland and Bass Coast will have improved access to specialised care as Bass Coast Health (BCH) and Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS) merge into the new Bayside Health (working title).
Recognising the benefits of closer collaboration and streamlined care pathways, the boards of GSHS and BCH have made the decision to join the merger between Alfred Health, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health.
Effective January 1, 2026, all five health services will come under the banner of Bayside Health, with the names of local hospitals and healthcare sites to all remain unchanged.
GSHS CEO Louise Sparkes and Interim BCH CEO Professor Simone Alexander said the new health service will improve healthcare access across south-east metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and the Bass Coast.
Ms Sparkes said, “This merger strengthens our partnerships as part of the broader health reform, improving access to specialised care for South Gippsland residents and ensuring a seamless patient experience.
“As the new service evolves, we will continue optimising Leongatha Memorial and Korumburra Hospitals to enhance care delivery.
“This is a process that will take time, and we are committed to working closely with our staff and consumers to ensure that services meet our community’s needs.”
Ms Alexander reiterated that, “This merger means patients will have easier access to more complex care, and they’ll have more specialist options available to them.
“Benefits for staff also include greater career development opportunities, like working with a range of experienced clinicians and practitioners, if they choose to do so.
“Our staff and community will be engaged throughout the process, as we build even stronger relationships across Bayside Health.”
The change also aligns with the recommendations from the recently released Health Services Plan.
GSHS and BCH already work closely with their health service partners to support patients across Victoria. This merger is the next step in strengthening these partnerships, making healthcare more accessible and efficient, while ensuring better patient outcomes.
Further updates will be provided as planning progresses, ensuring transparency and engagement with staff, patients and the community.